re: The Decline of Tiger Stadium Will Be Alleva's Biggest Failure (& Legacy)

I think it was kind of a deal with the devil that was in a way necessary.

Seems like back in the day the stadium was peopled with thousands of oil field roughnecks, plant shift workers, plumbers and even some Ozzy and Harriet working class white collar types. They didn't tend to tailgate all day but drive in from everywhere from Houma to Slidell to Lafayette, etc., stopping at one of convenience stores to get a half pint or a pint of whiskey to slip into their sock or even their back pocket. Students likely could sneak in booze too with not much problems.

To afford competitive facilities and construction, they almost had to go to a more corporate based system with suites, club levels, companies buying tickets in bulk and passing them out to customers, etc. and bigger money boosters. Tailgating flourished as companies and individuals made a day long party of cooking and drinking. Makes them less likely to stay full games and to risk embarrassment being flagged in a pat down. Some just sell their tickets or even give them away. Students too risk a several hundred dollar MIP charge trying to get in to the games with booze and I think even in some cases being singled out with in in tailgating areas.

Can't really said they shouldn't have done it. They needed to keep up with the Joneses. But it makes for a different atmosphere.

Of course I could be wrong about all of this.