Tailgating restricted at Reactor Field

The parking lot will be closed until 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

By Joey Soto

Published Oct. 24, 2008

Reactor Field, a popular tailgating spot before MU football games, will open later than usual for the Tigers' Homecoming game.

The Reactor Field parking lot will be closed until 2:30 p.m. for tailgating for the game against Colorado. This decision, handed down by Athletic Director Mike Alden, came as a result of a culmination of student misuse and misconduct earlier this season, Alden said.

"The lot is designed for parking vehicles, not for hosting large parties," MU Police Capt. Brian Weimer said. "At these parking lot parties, we are seeing underage drinking, excessive amounts of alcohol and disturbances breaking out."

The problems that persisted at MU's last home game served as a catalyst to Alden's decision. Weimer said he noticed the lot was being misused last game more than most.

"In the previous game, we saw a large number of people, in the hundreds, go to the lot simply to party and never have any intention of going to the game," Weimer said. "It is these groups of people looking simply to party and not go to the game that are taxing resources that are designed to keep patrons safe."

Alden said he realizes those who are at fault are a minority, but that the small fraction of disrupters has hindered the atmosphere of Tiger football.

"That small group of people has had a negative impact on those great fans who come to enjoy a day of Tiger Football," Alden said in a news release Tuesday. "That type of inappropriate behavior also has a negative impact on our brand."

Weimer said the delayed opening of Reactor Field is more of a precautionary measure than one to punish fans.

"This is not an attempt to punish everyone because of certain groups of people," Weimer said. "It is simply trying to keep our resources available to aid in safety and security of record-size crowds going to the game."

Task forces have been set up to try to fix the ongoing problems Reactor Field exhibits, Interfraternity Council spokesman Sam Hargadine said. Hargadine said he has attended the meetings and voiced his opinion.

"We've always emphasized that there are a lot of students down there, but it's a bigger issue than just fraternities and sororities down there," Hargadine said. "It's the only non-donor lot that's available to everyone."

Although Reactor Field is used by a wide array of fraternities, sororities, alumni and other students looking for a non-donor lot to tailgate, Hargadine does not anticipate its delayed opening to have an impact on Homecoming festivities.

"If there was ever a game they were going to close it down on, this is the most convenient because there are so many other things going on for Homecoming," Hargadine said.

The time restriction for Reactor Field is temporary, but Alden said he is intent on restoring appropriate behavior to ensure MU remains a place for fans to enjoy their time before the game responsibly.

"You will see us limit access to our public lots, reinforce appropriate behavior and remove those who choose to act irresponsibly," Alden said. "We must continue to do everything we can to model a positive, true fan experience."

In the past there have been disturbances such as physical altercations at Reactor Field. During the Sept. 20 home game, two MU students, Sean Torgoley and Pouya Rostampour, got into a fight with some other tailgaters whom they described as "super drunk." After some punches were thrown, police officers drew their Tasers and the fight was broken up.

Last September, "Frat Pit," a popular tailgating site, was closed for safety reasons. Students at the time were upset over the closure, but administrators insisted that because the tailgate often spilled onto Providence Road, it was no longer a safe place to tailgate.