Visit Emerson Alumni Hall for Gator Nation Tailgates

Author: Unknown Publication Date: Thursday September 08, 2011

For Dennis Bishop (BSBA ’68) of Marathon, visiting Emerson Alumni Hall on football game days has become a tradition. He meets his friends there, gets a bite to eat and generally has a good time.

“I just think it’s a very nice thing the alumni association does,” he said recently while watching the Gator football team arrive. “It’s got a good following.”

Bishop and his wife were among several hundred alumni association members who streamed into Emerson Alumni Hall on Saturday to take part in a Gator Nation Tailgate. Inside, football fans got to grab a bite and a drink while watching football on big screen TVs, catching up with other Gators and even meeting Albert and Alberta.

The tailgates take place at Emerson Alumni Hall before every home football game. Admission is free for alumni association members, and the doors open three hours before kickoff.

Chris (BSN ’87) and Sheryl Montrowl (BSN ’84, MSNSG ’94) of Gainesville said they stop by the tailgate any time they’re attending a Gator football game. It’s a good place to come in, cool off and get a drink, Chris Montrowl said.

“We occasionally see people,” Sheryl Montrowl said. “It’s a good place to look for people that you know, and just to show your Gator spirit.”

Freshman Alyssa Lowder of Tampa attended her first Gator Nation Tailgate on Saturday with fellow Tampan Erin O’Connor. New members of the Student Alumni Association, Lowder and O’Connor were seated on the second floor balcony in a good spot to take in the orange and blue around them.

“I just wanted to get the experience,” Lowder said as she and O’Connor munched on burgers. “I like how convenient it is, just across the street from the game.”

Learn more about Gator Nation Tailgates