Students, alumni, city and University officials crowded together in the parking lots surrounding McAndrew Stadium Saturday for the first tailgate party of the young Saluki football season.

Cool temperatures provided an ideal atmosphere for grilling food, tapping kegs, and throwing footballs along the rows of cars.

The tailgate parties were concentrated in two parking lots directly north of McAndrew Stadium and directly west of it. Alcohol was allowed only in lots 10 and 13.

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Jennifer Aholt, a senior in administration and justice from Okawville, was tailgating in lot 10 and said she enjoyed it and thought it provided a safe environment for people to unwind in.

I think having a tailgate party is great, she said. It’s well contained, and no one’s bothered me about my beer.

Aholt’s friend, Magea Bernal, a graduate in Radio and Television from Aurora, said she thought selling beer in the stadium would make the games better.

They’d make a lot of money, and it would be more of a social event, she said.

SIUC President John Guyon, who was tailgating with the Saluki Booster club, said beer could not be sold in the stadium.

The University doesn’t have a liquor license, and we’re in a dry township in Makanda, he said. I wouldn’t support it anyway.

Guyon was impressed by the number of people present at the tailgate.

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The fans always come out to watch, especially when we’re winning, he said. Let’s keep it up.

Todd Patton, an SIUC alumnus from Springfield, brought his nephews down to the game to watch the Dawgs battle the Racers.

I’ve had season tickets for about seven years, and I’ve brought my nephews for six of those, he said.

Carbondale Mayor Neil Dillard was at the tailgate with the Saluki Booster Club, and said he has been a fan for almost half a century.

I’ve coming to the Saluki football games since the fall of 1948, he said. The Booster club is a great opportunity for alumni to get together.

Saluki Booster Club executive director Sally Montardier said the Booster puts on a tailgate at every home game.

This is the official Saluki tailgate, and there is something for everyone, she said. It’s part of your membership to come here, eat whatever we’re cooking, and drink all the beer and soda you can.

The SIUC police said there were only a few problems at the tailgate as of noon, and everything was running smoothly.

There’s only been a few underage drinking violations, Corporal John Dunning said. We randomly check ID’s, and we don’t give any warnings about underage drinking.

12,200 fans watched the Salukis in their home-opener, and left early due to a loss to Murray State, 35-3.

The next home game is Saturday, Sept. 23 vs. Nicholls State at 1:30 p.m.