New Mexico State University | 2021 Tailgating Regulations
New Mexico State University encourages fans to arrive early, tailgate with friends, family, and fellow fans and enjoy the Aggie Football experience. The following tailgating procedures establish the rules and regulations for tailgating activities on campus. We expect attendees to treat fellow fans, NMSU property, and game management staff with courtesy and respect at all times. The following tailgating procedures will be in effect as of August 15, 2021 to ensure a safe and enjoyable tailgating experience for all.
Tailgating for Football:
General public tailgating in association with home football games is allowed in:
• Lot 29 (North Pan American Center Parking Lot)
• Lot 30 (Family and RV Tailgate Lot) – the northern section of this lot is designated for alcohol-free tailgating
• Lot 105 (North of the Tennis Center).
Tailgating is also allowed in the following pass-controlled parking areas:
• Lot 33 (AAC Lot A)
• Lot 38 (AAC Lot B)
• Lot 39 (Softball Lot)
• Lot 40 (Baseball Lot)
• Lot 83 (paved lot East of Greek Complex)
• Lot 86 (dirt lot East of Greek Complex)
• Lot 87 (Fulton East Lot)
• Lot 88 (Fulton West Lot)
• the grass areas in and around these lots
Student Tailgate Field:
Student and Student Organization tailgating is allowed in the designated area found in Sisbarro Community Park and is promoted under the following conditions:
• NMSU students and recognized student organizations with a valid NMSU ID or NMSU Event Pass can utilize the designated Student Tailgate field at Sisbarro Community Park.
• Space in the Student Tailgate field is first-come, first-served and can be claimed beginning 5 hours prior to kick-off for set-up. o Reserved space shall not exceed a 20’ x 20’ space, unless prior approval is obtained through the current activity request process.
o Leaving a tent frame in the claimed location will secure a spot. Student organizers may also create a perimeter using a variety of other methods (staked ribbons, chairs).
• Only Vehicles operated by a NMSU student holding a valid NMSU ID will be allowed access to the NMSU Sisbarro Loop parking area to drop off supplies at the Student Tailgate Field.
• Vehicle access is available 5 hours before kickoff. All vehicles must vacate the Loop area as soon as supplies have been delivered. Vehicles will not be permitted to enter the area 3 hours prior to kickoff and any vehicles present at that time, must be removed immediately.
• Vehicles are NOT permitted to be parked in/or next to the Student Tailgate Field
• Tailgate activity is allowed on the Student Tailgate Field on Game Day from: o 3 hours prior to the start of the game until 30 minutes before kickoff;
o for two hours after the conclusion of the game; and
o no tailgating is allowed in the area during the game.
• If the Sisbarro Loop parking area is unavailable to be accessed due to road closures or contraflow traffic, we ask that you be ready to clear and clean your space as soon as the roads reopen.
• Any tailgating materials set up prior to the 5-hour time limit will be removed.
• Any tailgating materials left in the park following game day will be removed.
• Overnight activity is not allowed.
Student Tailgate Park - Alcohol & Substance Use Regulations
The possession and use of alcoholic beverages must follow all local, state, and federal laws, as well as New Mexico State University Student Social Code of Conduct and Student Organization Guidelines.
• You must be 21 years of age or older to consume or be in possession of alcohol.
• All beverages must be in cans or plastic containers. Glass containers are not permitted.
• Cans larger than 12 ounces must be kept in a cup or koozie.
• ONLY beer and wine are allowed in the student tailgating area. No hard liquor is allowed.
• Kegs, party balls or common sources of alcohol are strictly prohibited. There are no exceptions.
• Drinking games involving alcohol, funneling, or any other games deemed inappropriate by New Mexico State University are prohibited. Any drinking game apparatus (e.g., funnels, beer pong tables, etc.) are also prohibited.
• If alcoholic beverages are served, tailgate hosts must also serve an adequate amount of food and alternative beverages in the same location.
• The sale of alcohol or providing alcohol to anyone other than guests of legal age is prohibited.
• Student organizations or groups are responsible for maintaining responsible access to alcohol and implement a system (wristbands, etc.) to ensure that minors are not served.
• All coolers, ice chests, and similar items are subject to search as a condition of entering the student tailgate area.
Designated university personnel provide access control and lot management services for these lots.
Tailgating for football games is allowed in the non-student lots/areas as follows:
All other lots listed above:
Game Day:
• For games with a 6:00 or 7:30 pm start, tailgating is allowed from 11:00 am until two hours after the game
• For games with a 2:00 pm start, tailgating is allowed from 9:00 am until two hours after the game
• No tailgating is allowed during the game. No more than one person may remain at a Tailgate Station during the game to watch equipment, but no alcohol may be consumed at the Tailgate Station during the game.
Tailgating activities are not allowed in any other parking lots on campus, nor on streets within or adjacent to campus. Tailgating activities may not block access to designated handicapped parking spaces nor block safe and efficient traffic flow within the parking lots or roads on the campus.
Parking
• General: Parking for tailgating activities in the specified lots is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Pre-positioning Vehicles: Fans may pre-position RVs in Lot 30 beginning at 11:00 am on the Friday before Game Days. Vehicles prepositioned and left overnight are done so solely at the owners’ risk.
• Overnight RV Occupancy: Recreation Vehicles (RVs) in Lot 30 may be occupied beginning at 6:00 pm on the Friday before a football game.
• Removal of Vehicles from Lots: All vehicles must be removed from NMSU parking lots (including those vehicles with a parking pass) by 10:00 am of the day following a football game.
• Parking spaces: Vehicles, including RVs, must be parked orderly and within parking stalls, where marked. Tailgating activities are limited to the space required for parking of the associated vehicle, plus one full stall width along the full passenger side of the vehicle. For example, one (1) marked space is allowed for tailgating activities when no vehicle is parked and two (2) marked spaces are allowed for tailgating activities when one standard size vehicle is parked. The maximum space for tailgating activities is six (6) marked spaces, applicable only to an oversized RV (a total of 3 spaces wide by 2 spaces deep).
All vehicles, equipment and persons associated with a particular tailgate party must be contained in the applicable area. No vehicles, equipment or persons may block driving lanes or access for emergency vehicles. Blocking or reserving of adjacent spaces is not permitted outside of the allowed area. Individuals or groups wanting more space than is allowed under this policy must rent such space from the Athletic Department, and will be considered a “private party” and not a tailgate.
Tailgating for Baseball and Softball:
General public tailgating in association with home baseball or softball games is allowed in Lot #39 (north of the softball complex) and Lot #40 (west of Presley Askew Field) for those games where it has been approved. Due to the size of these lots and the need for parking to support the events, use of RVs is not allowed during tailgating unless specifically approved by the Athletic Director. RVs approved for this use shall be issued and shall display an appropriate permit.
Tailgating is allowed in these lots as follows:
Lot #39 (for softball games) and Lot #40 (for baseball games):
Game Day: From 2 hours prior to the start of the game to 2 hours after the conclusion of the game. When multiple games are played in the same day, tailgating is allowed from 2 hours prior to the start of the first game until 2 hours after the conclusion of the last game that day. Tailgating is not allowed during a game. Due to limited space in parking lots immediately adjacent to the softball and baseball stadiums, and the need to provide access to emergency vehicles and personnel, use of
RV’s must be approved in advance by the Athletic Director, and parked in a manner and location approved by the Police and Fire Departments.
Dates approved for softball and baseball tailgating are:
• Baseball: (pending)
• Softball: (pending)
Tailgating for Basketball:
Student tailgating in association with home basketball games (men or women) is allowed in Lot #33 (south of the Pan American Center) for those games where it has been approved. Due to the need for parking to support the events, use of RVs is not allowed during tailgating for basketball games unless specifically approved by the Athletic Director. RVs approved for this use shall be issued and shall display an appropriate permit at all times.
Tailgating is allowed in this lot on Game Day as follows:
• From 2 hours prior to the start of the game
• 2 hours after the conclusion of the game
• Tailgating is not allowed during the game
Dates approved: (pending)
Tailgating for Other Events:
Tailgating for other events will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and must be requested by the event promoter/sponsor. The request must start with the Tailgate Policy Administrator who is responsible for the facility/event. For example, if connected with an athletic event, the request must be made to the Athletic Director. If the Tailgate Policy Administrator is in agreement with the request, then it will be forwarded to the rest of the policy administrators for approval.
Tailgating Activities
Alcohol:
Alcohol may be consumed as part of authorized tailgating activities in the locations designated for tailgating activities under this Regulation and in accordance with the following provisions:
• Persons under the age of 21 are prohibited from drinking alcohol in accordance with state and federal laws and NMSU policy. Persons who supply alcohol to underage drinkers may face criminal and civil charges.
• Alcoholic beverages may not be sold, and providers of alcohol will be held responsible for any over-consumption by their guests.
• Glass containers (e.g. bottles or drinking glasses) are not permitted.
• Kegs, party balls or common sources of alcohol are not permitted.
• No alcoholic beverages may be taken into the athletic facilities. Individuals leaving tailgate areas may be subject to search if there is reason to believe they are attempting to take alcoholic beverages into the game.
• Responsible and appropriate behavior is required when consuming alcohol as part of tailgating activities. Inappropriate behavior may result in sanctions by law enforcement authorities and forfeiture of tailgating privileges.
• Only beer and wine are allowed in any student tailgate areas.
• Alcohol may be consumed in Parking Lot #30 on Friday nights before a home game between the hours of 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm, unless there is a conflict with another event during that time. On game day, alcohol may be consumed in the designated tailgate locations starting at 11:00 am and ending at kickoff, except on November 25 and December 2, when alcohol may be consumed starting at 9:00 am. In addition, alcohol may be consumed in tailgate areas after the game for a two-hour period starting after the game ends. Alcohol may not be consumed in tailgate areas during the game.
Other Tailgating Regulations:
• Erecting Structures: Other than authorized tents or awnings, no other structures may be assembled, erected or set upon the tailgate parking lots. Staking of tents or awnings is prohibited anywhere on campus without written permission from Facilities and Services. All tents and awnings must be secured by other means (e.g. sand bags, water jugs, anchoring to vehicles, etc.).
• Grilling: Electric and propane/butane grills are allowed in all tailgating areas, unless otherwise posted. For safety reasons, fire extinguishers and/or a bucket of water are required to be on hand when grilling in tailgating areas. Charcoal grills are strongly discouraged, but if used, all coals must be disposed of in appropriate, all metal cans. Grills must be kept at least 4 feet away from any flammable or combustible materials.
• Other Equipment: Swimming pools, hot tubs, aerial lifts, walls, fences and other such items are not permitted unless prior approval has been obtained from Campus Activities and NMSU Athletics.
• Commercial Activities: The sale of goods and/or services, filming for commercial purposes and other commercial activities are prohibited in tailgate areas, unless prior written authorization has been obtained from both Campus Activities and NMSU Athletics.
• Advertising and/or Solicitation: Any signage or banners (other than NMSU items), handouts, giveaways and flyers are prohibited in the tailgating area (including posters, logo tents, flags, wrapped vehicles, etc.) unless prior written authorization has been obtained from both Campus Activities and NMSU Athletics prior to Game Day. A copy of the written permission must be kept on hand while tailgating, and provided to university officials upon request.
• Noise: Live bands, public address systems, loud radio or music systems and amplified sound of any kind are not permitted in the tailgate areas unless prior approval has been obtained from Campus Activities office and NMSU Athletics. When used, it must not create a hazard to others in the area, and must be kept within the approved location.
• Generators and Inverters: Electric generators and battery-powered generators/inverters that do not emit fumes and do not make noise are permitted in the tailgating areas.
• Trash and Waste Disposal: All trash and waste must be disposed of in an appropriate manner. NMSU personnel regularly patrol the tailgate areas to collect bagged trash. Other trash must be taken to appropriate receptacles upon leaving the tailgating area. Dumping of waste tanks is prohibited.
• Behavior: All persons entering the tailgating areas are subject to NMSU Board of Regents and NMSU policies and regulations, and the Laws of the State of New Mexico. NMSU may revoke the tailgating privileges and reject or refuse entry to persons for violating the tailgating policies. Disruptive behavior, illegal activity, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and similar types of behavior will not be tolerated.
