gw greeks try to capture state school spirit with "tailgate"

Responding to widespread concerns about a dearth of school spirit at George Washington University, the greeks community organized a tailgate "aimed at creating a 'state school' feel" before a home basketball game. "The culture of tailgating gets people out and excited for their team," said a Pi Kappa Alpha brother. After the barbecue, the brothers and sisters "made their way" to the arena to watch their Colonials battle it out.

Made their way? Evidently the "tailgate" took place in an alley behind the local frat row, the better to get the greeks out to the event. But the nature of tailgating is that it takes place adjacent to the stadium, not in your backyard, the idea being to congregate just outside and thus make the eventual drift into the stadium easier. Barbecuing in your backyard is just that; grilling does not accrue the honorific of "tailgating" simply because attendees intend to go watch some basketball afterwards. Indeed, it omits the titular characteristic of tailgating: operating the event out of the back of your flatbed.

Some participants recognized the inherently flawed nature of the event: "I don't think we can emulate a state school, but it's good to encourage excitement once in a while," said a sophomore sister at Alpha Epsilon Phi. Still, a good time was reportedly had by all, and that's the right idea, whatever you call it.

GW Hatchet