Matt Moreno / KCOU News / August 25, 2010
MU students did not have a universal tailgating spot last year.
This year, they’ll have “The Jungle.”
That’s the name MU officials dubbed for a new tailgating spot behind Stankowski Field Tuesday as they announced a replacement for the loss of the popular Reactor Field space two years ago, which closed due to underage drinking and fighting.
While open to students, it won’t be open to cars. Tailgaters must drop off items like grills and coolers at a designated area.
Missouri Students Association President Tim Noce said students will enjoy having a safer environment to tailgate at.
“At the end of the day the majority of students just want a place to tailgate with their friends. It may be a stricter environment, but it’s also going to be a safer and possibly more fun environment,” Noce said.
MUPD will patrol the area along with student volunteers. MU Senior Paige Sommerer likes the idea of added safety.
“I think it’s small in terms of what we were used to having for tailgating, but in terms of safety it’s a lot better, ” Sommerer said.
The lot’s safety is not the biggest concern for some students, like MU Sophomore Nick Randolph.
“I think the students were pretty upset about Reactor, and they had to give something back to the students, but couldn’t give them back Reactor,” Randolph said.
