'Frat Pit' off limits

By Erica Zucco

Published Sept. 25, 2007

Students were forced to take their coolers, grills and painted bodies elsewhere during Saturday's football game when the common tailgating location "Frat Pit" was declared off-limits.

"'Frat Pit' is a common ground where the Greek community can set aside stereotypes and get together to celebrate, socialize and cheer on our football team," Delta Upsilon fraternity member freshman Forest Nenninger said.

On Sept. 20, the Office of Student Affairs, Administrative Services, the athletic department and the MU Police Department took part in the decision to prohibit students from tailgating at "Frat Pit," located at the corner of Providence Road and Champions Drive.

MU police Capt. Brian Weimer said the main cause for closing off the area was safety.

Past law violations in "Frat Pit" have included several charges of possession of alcohol by a minor, as well as complaints of public urination and community disturbance, Weimer said.

Many students have said they are upset about the closing of "Frat Pit."

"The Greek community is shocked and angry that 'Frat Pit' is being taken away from us," stated freshman Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity member Rob Deleeuw in an e-mail. "It frustrates me as an MU student and a Sig. Ep. to see it being prohibited."

Other students noted the lack of a suitable alternative as one of their frustrations with the closing.

"'Frat Pit' was closed without any alternative," freshman Delta Upsilon member Eric Sterchi said. "They didn't talk about relocating or moving the area - they just shut it down. Some Greeks choose to tailgate down at Reactor Field, but the longer walk on a busy road creates a greater risk for accidents. We're fighting to bring 'Frat Pit' back."

Two groups have been formed on Facebook.com to unite students who disagree with the decision to close "Frat Pit."

"RIP Frat Pit" commemorates the popular student tailgating spot, while "Frat Pit for Life - Bring it back" encourages all students to do what they can to reopen the spot.

In the group's description, group creator Nenninger wrote, "Send letters, make calls, start petitions. We need publicity so the University remembers that it exists for its students, not for the extra money they are going to get by turning our beloved sanctuary into a parking lot."

The group had amassed over 1,400 members by press time.

University and Alumni Association officials could not confirm that the spot would be turned into a parking lot.

Weimer stressed the importance of practicing safe behaviors while tailgating. Students should avoid heavy traffic, carefully consider where they set up events and make sure that alcohol, if present, is being used in a safe and legal way, Weimer said. More information and brochures regarding appropriate tailgating procedures can be obtained through the athletic department.

The athletic department's Web site sets regulations for tailgating at Memorial Stadium and the adjacent lots, explaining that vehicles may occupy only one parking space, charcoal should be disposed in specially marked barrels and kegs or bulk quantities of alcohol are not permitted in any vehicle or surrounding parking lot. These rules were instated during the 2006-2007 academic school year.

But the Web site does not mention locations where tailgating is prohibited.

"It's 'Frat Pit' here, but almost every campus has a tailgating area for Greeks," Sterchi said. "Other schools hold pep rallies and parades to get students pumped up, but we don't have those here at Mizzou, so 'Frat Pit' was our substitute."

According to the Facebook.com group page, Frat Pit for Life-Bring it back will be selling T-shirts Oct. 2 for students to wear at the Oct. 6 football game.