Southern Living Names Clemson Among Top 20 Schools with Best Tailgating Celebrations

Click HERE to Vote for Clemson to Win “The South’s Best Tailgate”(Vote Online or Via Smartphone from August 15-October 1)

BIRMINGHAM, AL – In the South, tailgating is a time-honored tradition. From the food and cocktails to the style and traditions, nobody does tailgating quite like Southerners. The editors at Southern Living huddled together to post a pre-seasonroster of the top 20 Southern schools with the greatest pregame celebrations. They are featured in the September issue, hitting newsstands August 24.  Readers and fans will ultimately determine the school that hosts “The South’s Best Tailgate.”

Rally around your favorite Southern team and vote daily from August 15 to October 1 on southernliving.com/tailgate or via smartphone by downloading the complimentary Digimarc Discover app and scanning the corresponding text. Southern Living will crown the winner of “The South’s Best Tailgate” at a home game by November 10.  

“Tailgating combines two of the South’s greatest loves: food and football. No one on earth celebrates game day like we do: it’s a cocktail party, family reunion, and fashion show all in one,” said Southern Living Editor, Lindsay Bierman.

Southern Livingunveils the roster of universities vying for “The South’s Best Tailgate”:

Auburn University: Boasts an entire Wikipedia page devoted to pregame rituals.Clemson University: Caps off pre-gaming with one of the best player entrances in college football.Grambling State University: Turns its rival match up into a weeklong extravaganza.Hampden-Sydney College: Inspired a Brooks Brothers ad with its well-dressed “Hillgaters.”Howard University: Sports the styles that have earned students mentions on best-dressed lists.Louisiana State University: Enlists RVs and crawfish boils to cook up a massive tailgate.McDaniel College: Houses the nation’s only drive-in stadium.Mississippi State University: Treats its friendly fan base to ice cream made on-campus.Southern Methodist University: “Boulevards” instead of tailgates with stylish barbecues.Texas A&M: Wakes the school up at midnight on game day with “The Midnight Yell.”University of Alabama: Packs tents 1,000-deep on the Quad each Saturday.University of Arkansas: Claims two football stadiums in different cities.University of Florida: Hosts annual tailgate-turned-block party occupying nine acres.University of Georgia: Welcomes more than 100,000 tailgaters per game.University of Mississippi: Is home to The Grove – chandeliers, candelabras, linen napkins and all.University of Oklahoma: Starts with “The Land Run” to lay territory claim before each game.University of South Carolina: Tailgates in Cockabooses, 22 train cabooses turned game day suites.University of Tennessee: Unites 150 houseboats and yachts nearby for a massive “sailgate.”University of Texas: Co-hosts annual Red River Rivalry in Dallas at the local State Fair.University of Virginia: Tailgates against the backdrop of Charlottesville’s Monticello Mountain.

Southern Living chose the roster of universities vying for “The South’s Best Tailgate” based on the following criteria:

• Most Spirited: Schools that turn “fan” into “fanatic.”
• Traditionalists: Schools renowned for game-day rituals.
• Powerhouses: Southern schools with a history of winning on and off the field (chosen by the most bowl victories).
• Style Setters: From sundresses to cake stands, these schools showcase true splendor in the grass.

Southern Living shares its top-ranked recipes for the ultimate game day spread including Southern-Style Cuban sandwiches, Warm Gumbo Dip and Mini Bourbon-and-Cola Bundt Cakes.

For a full list of colleges included in “The South’s Best Tailgate” feature,visit: southernliving.com/tailgate. The voting period is open August 15 to October 1, 2012. One vote per day is counted toward the final tally. Votes placed on Saturdays count twice toward the final tally. Vote daily for a chance to win $2,500 toward an ultimate tailgate.