University Program Council kicked off the Auburn football weekend with a tailgate on the Plains for students to promote fall sports.
Students grabbed their Auburn paraphernalia and stood in line for free food, as UPC members' voices echoed around the building to catch students' attention on the second floor of the Student Center, where the event was held, last Thursday.
"Free food, free stuff from UPC, everything is free," said Bethany Stillwell, a sophomore in hotel and restaurant management and UPC special projects member.
Russell Mclendon, a freshman in business, said he hopes the tailgate gets more people motivated.
The organization put on the event to celebrate tailgating and to keep the students informed about fall sports such as soccer, volleyball and football.
"We are trying to promote the spirit of AU while informing the students when the UPC events are so they can get more involved," said Matthew Ciuros, a sophomore in engineering and UPC special projects member.
The organization gave away more than 500 giveaways and food, according to Sharne Rice, president of UPC. The tailgate was scheduled to last three hours, but was forced to end an hour early because everything ran out quickly.
"It was a kickoff to get the atmosphere going and to celebrate because we have a new coach and it is a new football season," Rice said.
Hotdogs, chips, hamburgers, Bruster's Ice cream, foam fingers, face tattoos and Auburn spirit beads and megaphones were given away at the event.
Auburn University football players Tommy Trott, tight end; Deangelo Benton, wide receiver; Walter McFadden, defensive back; and Harry Adams, defensive back signed autographs at the tailgate.
"I think this is a good way to promote fall sports, my roommate texted me about it," said Margaret Knox, a freshman in pre-nursing. "I have been to all the football games and a soccer game this year."
UPC is known for hosting campus events, and the organization's director of special projects, Anne Smead, a sophomore in public administration, came up with the tailgating idea.
"We put on a Mardi Gras event, so we wanted to do something in the fall, and tailgating is a big part of the Auburn experience so we wanted to celebrate it," Smead said.
This was the first and only time this event will be held this fall. UPC plans to host another event to promote sports played in the spring.
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