Solé Scott – Features Editor
Alumni, parents, faculty and students all joined together in the Brownell parking lot to party before the football game against American International College on Saturday, Oct. 14.
The tailgate began at 10 a.m. in the pouring rain, yet that did not stop the celebration from happening.
Business administration major Monajia Medlin, a junior, attended the event with two friends.
“I honestly just came for the food,” said Medlin.
Old school mixed with new school music blared from speakers all over the parking lot.
Around 12 P.M., food started to be prepared as President Smith was behind the grill cooking up a storm.
There were many fraternities and sororities that made their presence known, such as Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho, Phi Beta Sigma and Iota Phi Theta, to name a few.
Psychology major Rylee Missoni, a senior, went to her first tailgate for a little bit.
“I thought it was pretty fun. Unfortunately, it was raining, but it was still nice.
The tailgate gained a lot more traction around 1-2 P.M. as Greek organizations began to stroll.
Direct Assistant to Dr. Smith Roland Regos was at the tailgate early with other faculty.
“I am involved in planning it, so I don’t have much of a choice,” said a laughing Regos.
Faculty and Staff Diversity Retention and Recruitment Specialist Daisy Torres-Baez was at the event as well.
“This is my first Homecoming Family Day Tailgate,” said Baez.
People were determined to make the tailgate rain or shine, which proved to be true later on in the day.
Attendees were coming from the food trucks all the way in the parking lot of the Moore Field House and Wintergreen.
“It’s a tradition to be a part of Homecoming here at Southern; there’s just a lot of energy and spirit of people coming back,” Roland said.
Even though the rain continued heavily throughout the day, that did not stop people from having a fun time.
The tailgate lasted well into the early evening. The football game had already concluded.
“The Owls come back to roost,” Roland said.
