Tailgating May Be Banned Forever At Towson University

TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- A season-long ban on student tailgating? Towson University is considering it for home football games. This comes after what university officials call unsafe behavior during tailgating so far this season.

Rick Ritter has the details.

Student tailgating is on for now, but it's a potential ban that is not sitting well with many students.

Chaotic partying and excessive drinking---this is the tailgating scene at Towson University.

It's a scene the university says has spiraled out of control.

"Uncooperative, hostile, students standing on the roof of their car," said University Spokesperson Marina Cooper.

And a potential ban that's quickly turned into the talk of the campus.

"I was in math class yesterday and this kid next to me was like, `Did you hear they're banning tailgates?'" said Kevin Francis.

On Wednesday, university officials met for hours and announced they're implementing new safety rules for student tailgating at Towson home football games.

"It's upsetting because it's part of the college culture," said junior Brandon Slade.

If students don't abide, it could lead to a potential ban of student tailgating for the entire season.

"It's basically a lot of college kids just hanging around, doing what college kids do," Francis said.

"Any privilege on this campus is just that: a privilege," Cooper said.

With a football program that's been on the rise the past few years, students say a ban on tailgating could spark a dropoff in attendance at home games.

"Attendance to football games will lower because everyone looks forward to that," said junior Ariana Sorto.

"They're not going to get as much money with concessions and people attending," Slade said.

At the end of the day, officials say they're hoping both students and the university can find a happy medium to keep the longstanding tradition alive.

"It's a shared concern so it's going to be a shared responsibility," Cooper said.

"Ultimately, the school is going to take the biggest hit," Slade said.

University officials say some of the new rules they're considering have to do with crowd management and the use of alcohol.

They're expected to announce the new rules by Friday morning.

Towson University football has at least four more home games this season, including one Saturday night.

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