Lindenwood will be hosting a revamped tailgate this fall called the Lion Pride Tailgate. 

Starting this Thursday with the football season opener against Angelo State University (San Angelo, Texas), there will be a new tailgating section in the Field House parking lot and the street outside Hunter Stadium, according to director of communications Julee Mitsler.

“Lindenwood has the unique privilege of being the only college football team in the Greater St. Louis area, so our tailgates should be elevated to match,” Mitsler said in an email. “These are a great way to engage our campus community, our neighbors in St. Charles, and local businesses.”

Mitsler said that Lindenwood has partnered with 4 Hands Brewery and Sugarfire BBQ for the tailgate. They will be providing food and beverages that will be available for purchase. This is the first time alcohol will be sold at a Lindenwood game.

ID’s will be required for all alcohol purchases and wristbands will have to be worn. No alcohol can be taken outside of the tailgating section or into the stadium.

The university will also have a seating area for faculty and staff members where complimentary food will be provided. In addition to the food and beverages, Mitsler said that there will be local musicians performing during the tailgate in an attempt to elevate the pre-game atmosphere.

Junior Austin Shariff plans on attending both the tailgate and football game on Thursday, and he thinks this can be an overall positive for Lindenwood sports.

“There is a level of anticipation around campus for this tailgate that I have never seen,” Shariff said. “I have always wished the students were more passionate about our sports teams, especially since they’re all really good. This is a great first step that the university is taking for us.”

Mitsler is confident that the changes made to Lindenwood tailgating will create a unique experience in comparison to what the university has done in previous seasons.

“We’re eager to host these tailgates this year and know that our campus community is excited to come together in person,” Mitsler said. “With our partner companies, 4 Hands Brewery and Sugarfire, we’re going to deliver a tailgate experience unlike anything Lindenwood has done in the past.”

Football head coach Jed Stugart knows the importance of tailgating, and how it has become an integral part of the game as a whole. He said he sees this as an opportunity for Lindenwood to have an improved gameday experience, before and during each game.

“I think it’ll help for our gameday, it’ll help for our attendance,” Stugart said. “I think people will come out here and see how great Lindenwood is so it’s something that’s really exciting for me and I know our kids will feel it, the energy and everything.”

One of the biggest obstacles facing the university now is actually being able to get students to come out to both the tailgate and the game.

Shariff expects his fellow classmates to come out on Thursday, crediting the job Lindenwood has done in promoting the events. 

“The systems are in place, now it’s just the students’ job to show out,” Shariff said. “I 100 percent think there will be a larger number coming out. I’m eager to see what that number is.”

The tailgate will start at 4 p.m. on Thursday, with the game kicking off at 7 p.m. The first 500 students who come to the game will be given a free t-shirt.