Cars packed Bethel Avenue for hours, full of students, parents and alumni getting ready to tailgate before Ball State’s game against Toledo.
Chris Marzulli, a freshman undecided major, said his family drove four hours from Illinois to tailgate with him during Family Weekend.
“They know how to do it, they come prepared,” Chris said. “Students just bring the booze and that’s it. They got the food, they got water, they got the chips, they got everything.”
Their family's red portable grill was covered with burgers, brats and hotdogs, to complement their wings, chips, spreads and drinks.
“We got just about everything you can think of,” Chris said.
His mother, Laura Marzulli, said parents absolutely tailgate better than the students.
“We’ve been there, done it,” she said. “Bring plenty of chairs to sit in, bring a table, bring a grill, and lots of food and lots of drinks.”
For the adults, Laura said they get creative with their Bloody Marys by adding pepperoni sticks, mozzarella sticks, celery and olives.
Chris said his freshman year has been going well, and he was happy to share his new school with his family.
“I’m really glad they came down because my brother has never been here, so it’s nice showing him around where I go to school,” he said. “I’m glad they came down.”
Laura said they are planning to make tailgating during Family Weekend a tradition for their family.
