Knox College Football Tailgate Policy
I. Overview
Tailgating has long been a tradition with sporting events, especially on the collegiate level. Nothing is better than gathering with other Prairie Fire fans, fellow classmates, alumni, friends, or family before home football games.
Tailgating is permitted on campus in designated parking lots. Please follow all guidelines related to food/grilling, clean-up and risk management policies. For the purpose of this policy, consumption of alcohol is governed by procedures described in Section 5 of this policy.
II. Respectful Environment
Tailgating is a lively and family-friendly environment. While we want you to have an exciting experience, we ask that you be respectful of those surrounding you, being mindful of your choice of language and activity. Groups are personally responsible for making sure their guests act appropriately. Individuals are expected to conduct themselves in a manner respectful of the nature and character of the Knox College. Persons acting in a disruptive, disrespectful or disorderly manner may be asked to leave the premises or be subject to citation. Please keep all music and audio at a volume level that is respectful of your tailgating neighbors. We want the tailgating experience to be enjoyed by all.
III. Tailgating Locations
Knox College invites and encourages our fans to enjoy a great tailgate atmosphere prior to each Prairie Fire home football game. Tailgating in designated parking area, which limit other spaces from being occupied by a vehicle, is not permitted. Tailgating in any traffic lanes or pedestrian pathways is not permitted.
1. Locations
Fans may park and tailgate in the gravel parking lot located next to Herr Petroleum. This is the designated Knox fan tailgate area. No parking permit required.
Visiting fans can tailgate in the gravel lot located east of the T. Fleming Fieldhouse.
2. Opening/Closing
Tailgating areas will be open for individuals to enter the designated areas at 10:00 a.m. on the day of the game. Area will close one hour after the final play of the game.
3. Tents
Tents with stakes shorter than 12-inches may be set up at any time prior to kickoff.
IV. General Guidelines that Apply to All Tailgating
A. Clean-Up
Please keep Knox College beautiful by placing all trash and recycling in the proper bins located throughout the tailgate areas and facilities for your convenience. All groups are responsible for making sure their tailgating area is cleaned prior to departing for the game. Immediately at the end of the pregame tailgating (15 minutes prior to the start of the game) tailgaters must do the following:
• All trash/recyclable items must be picked up and sorted into proper receptacles. This includes trash around your assigned area. Trash should be closed in bags or trash containers.
• While tobacco use is strongly discouraged, all cigarette butts must be picked up.
• All leftover food/beverages must be placed in proper containers and stored.
• All clean-up procedures must be completed before entering the stadium.
B. Food/Grilling
Groups may bring their own picnic items and food to their tailgate area. Grilling is permitted, but all grills must be elevated. All fires must be contained within grills. Extinguish charcoal fires thoroughly with water before leaving them unattended. Please remove extinguished charcoal from campus for disposal. Do not dump charcoal on the ground or in dumpsters. Please be advised that grilling may be prohibited in a time of drought or extremely dry conditions. Should this be a consideration, proper announcements will be made on College websites during the week preceding an affected game date.
C. Risk Management
Groups tailgating must follow these risk management policies:
• Do not transport individuals in the back of trucks. Nor should persons be allowed to stand in or on the vehicles.
• Have food available to avoid the effects of drinking alcohol beverages on an empty stomach.
• Provide plenty of non-alcoholic beverages. If alcoholic beverages are present, designate at least one member of the group as the “designated tailgater” so they can monitor those who may over indulge.
• Educate ALL group members and guests about the tailgate policies.
• Contact Campus Safety (309-341-7979) for all emergencies.
V. Alcohol Consumption
In accordance with the Knox College, tailgating with alcohol is only allowed outside of the Knosher Bowl. Participants in tailgating are expected to follow all relevant laws and policies, including not serving alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age, not giving alcoholic beverages to any obviously intoxicated person, and not driving while intoxicated.
Consumption of alcohol outside designated areas and/or time periods constitutes a violation of The Knox College tailgating policy. Violators are subject to prosecution under laws of the City of Galesburg and Knox County, and the laws of the State of Illinois. Any participant who consumes alcoholic beverages at such events must be able to produce a valid driver’s license or other photo ID that reflects the person’s age upon request.
Alcohol will be permitted in the tailgating area. Groups are responsible for making sure only those who are 21 years of age or older consume alcohol. All beverages, including alcohol, must be in opaque cups. All alcoholic beverages must remain in coolers or closed containers.
Prohibited Uses:
• Kegs and other common containers are not allowed at any time.
• Glass containers are not allowed except to hold alcohol in its original bottled package in your cooler or closed container.
• Drinking games (included but not limited to beer pong), and the use of devices intended to accelerate the consumption of alcohol (including but not limited to funnels or beer bongs) are prohibited.
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages on any other part of the campus or on public streets that run through or are adjacent to the campus is prohibited.
VI. Consumption and Preparation of Food
• No food may be sold.
• Propane and charcoal grills are the only permissible sources of heat for cooking. Burned coals and/or residue from cooking may not be permitted to make contact with the paved surface of the parking lot. Hot coals must be completely extinguished with water prior to leaving the tailgating site.
• Open flame fires, including fire pits, are prohibited.
VII. Sales and Solicitation
• No sales activities or solicitation are allowed on the College campus, including any/all tailgating areas, without permission from the appropriate College office.
• Only Auxiliary Services or their designated representatives will be allowed to sell merchandise.
