A non-traditional tailgate

Students and fans walking to Byrd Stadium for Saturday's game against North Carolina couldn't help but notice a white tent set up in front of Ellicott Hall with loud music, free food and prizes. The only thing missing was alcohol.

Terp CHOICES and the University Health Center sponsored an alcohol-free tailgate to promote alcohol safety to students.

At the tent set up in front of the student entrance to the stadium, a group of students and health center employees offered free stuff to passersby to get them to learn more about alcohol consumption.

Kendra Smoak-McMillan, the coordinator for drug and alcohol programs, said the event was important to promote safer drinking habits.

"Students who have been drinking can stop by and get food and water," she said about the tailgate. "Free stuff is a good draw, but then they come and they learn something, [such as] 16 percent of students don't drink at all. It's important for students to know this and to know it's OK if you choose not to drink."

People crowded into the tent to spin a colorful wheel and win a free T-shirt or foam finger. Anyone could grab the free food from Subway or a free drink.

On a colorful wheel, questions about drinking at the university were lined around the circle. Players could spin the wheel and answer the question, in return for the prizes.

One space read, "List two hangover helpers," while another read, "What percent of UMCP students do not drink?"

Yvette Chop, a sophomore public health major and a peer educator for Terp CHOICES, was optimistic about a successful turnout.

"No one says 'no' to free," Chop said.

Chop and Brittany Hollis, another peer educator for Terp CHOICES and a sophomore public health major, danced and waved foam fingers to get game-goers to stop by their tent.

"It's important for people to know there's a way to have fun without alcohol," Hollis said.

As the game drew nearer, students and fans began to stop by. Sophoria Westmoreland, a graduate student who was working a concession stand in the stadium, said the music was a big draw for her so she stopped by on her break.

"I think it is important for undergraduates," Westmoreland said. "A lot are just coming to be of drinking age. They need to learn how to tell when they are drunk and need to stop. It is important for anyone who drinks."

Peter Tartaglione, a sophomore journalism major, stopped by the tent with a group of students going to the game.

"I think it's a good idea, but I don't know if it will have an effect," Tartaglione said. "People will come for the free food and drinks. I saw the wheel."

At the end of the day, the people working the tent were pleased with the turnout.

"All of our things are gone," Hollis said. "I think people were skeptical at first, but when they realized there was no catch they came over. It was a good time to learn something new. You got to learn a fact and then go scream and yell [at the game]."

"I love the free Subway and I just won a free shirt," said Adam Koffler, a sophomore economics major. "I'd do it again."

Scott Lawler, a coordinator for the event, said he thought about 75 showed up to the tailgate.

"I hoped we could have something bigger scale, but I am pleased with what we were able to accomplish," Lawler said.

He added the free shirts and foam fingers make for great advertising when any student wears them around the campus, and the message becomes further spread.

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