Alumni filled Ball State's tailgating area Saturday afternoon, just before the Homecoming game against the Western Michigan University Broncos.
“It’s a totally different campus,” said Mary Scott Gibble, a graduate of 1982. “It’s gorgeous ... the Bell Tower wasn’t even here.”
Gibble said she and her husband met at school, and her daughter and son are both students here.
“We didn’t even have ‘Chirp Chirp,’” Gibble said. “I don’t remember there being a tailgating presence back then.”
Darrin McGowan, who graduated in 1995 with a degree in graphic arts management, said he didn’t tailgate when he was in school, but he and his friend Rob Belt have been coming back to tailgate for about seven years. Belt graduated in 2003 with a general studies degree.
“The university has changed drastically,” said Belt. “New buildings, all kinds of things.”
Kyle VanMeter, who graduated in 2008 with a general studies degree, said since his visit, he saw his donations to the university making an impact.
“It was pothole city when we were here,” said VanMeter, “and now it’s very beautiful and nice. I’m glad my money went somewhere.”
Current students also got the opportunity to tailgate alongside past students.
Jake Wardell, a senior chemistry major, said he enjoys the social aspects of tailgating.
“[My favorite part is] being able to relax with all my friends and know that you can get kind of crazy in a safe environment,” said Wardell.
Sue Taylor, director of alumni reunions and affinity groups, said she was expecting a large influx of alumni this weekend.
Taylor said she had had 500 reservations for the alumni luncheon planned for before the game, but that there would probably be double that number of alumni tailgating.
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