When most fans think of Mountaineer Football, they think of being dressed head to toe in gold and blue gear, the first-down cheer, squaring off in the Let’s Go Mountaineers cheer challenge, singing “Country Roads” and tailgating.

In attempt to keep tailgating a fun and safe tradition, the WVU Division of Student Life created the Student LOT, an alcohol-free pregame event for students. Vice President of Student Life Bill Schafer believes this tailgating event aligns with the ongoing transformation of campus culture at WVU.

In its sixth year, The Student LOT will be located at the University Park Courtyard on the Evansdale Campus this football season. The LOT is held prior to each home football game, and it offers students free food, live entertainment and music, games, giveaways and guest appearances.

“This is my first football season as a Mountaineer, and I can already feel the excitement in the air—and after a week of classes and studying—I encourage our students to come to the Student LOT and play smart,” said Schafer. “This is a great opportunity for them to hang out with friends and meet other student fans in a safe, alcohol-free environment before heading to the stadium.”

“The Student LOT offers our students all of the tailgating traditions and more, not only in a safer environment but also free of cost,” said Corey Farris, dean of students. “We wanted to give our students an alternative by providing them with a safe, non-alcohol option.”

The LOT will open at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 5) and wrap up at 7:00 p.m. The Mountaineers will kick off against the Georgia Southern at 7:30 p.m. A WVU ID is required to enter the event, and students are welcome to bring one guest.

Farris said the LOT closes before kickoff to encourage students to arrive at the gates early enough to avoid lines and to get into the stadium quickly and safely with plenty of time to watch the Pride of West Virginia’s pregame show.

Thousands of students have visited the LOT throughout the years, and it is the 2011 recipient of the West Virginia Association of Student Personnel Administrations Innovative Program Award.

For more information, visit http://studentlot.wvu.edu/.

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