Minium: ODU Is Making It Easier for Football Fans To Continue to Tailgate Prolifically

By Harry Minium

NORFOLK, Va. – The reputation of Old Dominion’s football fans as passionate tailgaters began on Sept. 5, 2009, and it happened very organically.

ODU played its first football game in 69 years that day, defeating Division II Chowan before a sellout crowd at old Foreman Field. Hours before kickoff, thousands of cars, SUV’s and trucks appeared in designated tailgate parking lots as if by magic. 

ODU fans had precious little tailgating experience. ODU had not played football since 1940, when it was known as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary.

Yet Monarch fans proved they knew how to throw a pre-game party. Smoke from grills filled the air and ODU faithful came dressed in Monarch gear. ODU flags dotted parking lots all over campus.

As ODU prepares for its 16^th football season, ODU’s fans remain among the most prolific tailgaters in the Group of 5.

The parking lots, from those around the stadium, to the L.R. Hill Sports Complex, are festive. Our fans are known for treating visitors from other teams – Liberty, App State and Coastal Carolina are some of the notable opponents coming to Norfolk this fall – with friendly smiles and handshakes and perhaps even a sampling of food.

But over the years, ODU has recognized that the tastes and desires of some fans have changed and we’re doing our best to react to those changes.

If you like to tailgate but hate the preparation and cleanup, ODU athletics has you covered.

In recent years, we have turned Kaufman Mall, a four-acre green space oasis in the center of campus filled with grass, trees, benches and the Monarch Lion Fountain, into a center of tailgating for those who’d rather let others do the cooking and cleaning.

Food trucks, a beer garden, a children’s play area and live pre-game music entertainment have allowed fans to show up, eat and drink and be entertained, without having to fire up and clean off a grill.

Early arrivers are able to see the ODU football team – coaches, players and support personnel – participate in the Monarch March from the Webb Student Center to S.B. Ballard Stadium. You can shake Ricky Rahne’s hand as the ODU head football coach leads his team to the stadium.

ODU’s football pregame radio show is broadcast live from Kaufman Mall. And an hour before the game, the ODU Marching Band performs in front of Webb Center.

This fall, we are making some changes to Kaufman Mall and have added something called full-service tailgating.

Simply make a reservation and we will set up a tent, with chairs or benches, in the center of Kaufman Mall. We can provide food and drink, or if you’d prefer bring your own. You can do it for just one game or as many as all six, and you pick the spot where your tent is located from a map we provide.

CLICK HERE for more information on full-service tailgating

Most of these additions to Kaufman Mall are the result of surveys we send to our fans after every season. If you attended a game, as a season-ticket or even single-game ticket buyer, we reach out to you and ask how we can make things better.

Senior Associate Athletic Director for Revenue Generation & External Operations Joe Rafanelli said full-service tailgating was in part a response to requests from fans.

“We had more than 1,000 responses from fans after last season and we take fan feedback very seriously,” he said. “We’re listening and based off of a lot of those responses, we’re making adjustments heading into the 2025 season.”

Your comments have guided the choices we are making in game promotions and even the live bands you will hear on Kaufman Mall.

Feedback from the fan survey also had a major impact on in-game entertainment, including bringing back a drone show that was a major hit at halftime of ODU’s victory over Georgia Southern last season.

Drone show returns to ODU football in 2025

Because many of you asked to see more of the ODU Marching Band, Rafanelli says we’re trying to get the band more involved in the Monarch Walk and in the parking lots.

We’ve also made changes to the annual Priority Charity Bowl ODU Spring Game, which is set for Saturday, April 19, at 2 p.m. at S.B. Ballard Stadium.

Many fans asked for a chance to interact with our players and we responded. We will host our first Fan Field Day after the game in which fans can meet and mingle with ODU’s football players and coaching staff as well as the men’s basketball and women’s tennis teams.

There will be an autograph session and photo opportunities. ODU merchandise will be available for sale at the ODU Bookstore tent, and fans who have purchased or renewed their season tickets will be able to purchase attire with a 20 percent discount.

And next Friday, come back to www.odusports.com, when I will write about ODU’s vaunted status as a school that produces more NFL players than 12 of its 13 Sun Belt opponents.

Football season ticket renewals have begun, and tickets are also on sale for new ticket holders. Purchase season tickets by clicking here.

Minium is ODU’s senior executive writer. Contact him at hminium@odu.edu or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram