By
Mindy Jones
Arizona Daily Wildcat
OSU fans leave an impression on UA Mall
Before the 7:15 p.m. kick off, before the fans invaded the bleachers and long before the 10:51 p.m. defeat, there was tailgating.
Tailgaters sprawled over the University of Arizona Mall, relaxed in parking lots across campus and tossed footballs outside McKale Center.
On Saturday, the UA opened its first home game of 2000 football season with the tradition of tailgating. With an attendance of 57,367, the loss to Ohio State University was sold out.
"We call ourselves 'El Band de Tucson'," said Mark Wystrach, a UA finance and marketing junior. "All we do is party, paint and put watermelons on our heads for the Cats."
The many thousands participating created an atmosphere which allowed students and visitors to display their true colors.
"We bleed scarlet and gray," said Karl Baxter, 39, a financial adviser in Mount Vernon, Ohio. "We have been out here since 2 (p.m.) and even partied at Dirtbag's last night."
Tailgating took on many interesting forms. Some put pompoms in their back pockets and tossed beach balls, while others just sat and relaxed.
"We normally just go to Colonel Sanders', pick up a bucket of chicken and sit on the Mall before a game," said Norma Kalmer, 66, a retired Tucson resident. "This year, we got the RV and set up a real barbecue."
Though some fans opted for lawn space, others were surprised at the lack of actual "tailgates."
OSU fan and Tucson resident, Jim Inscho expected to see a lot more pickup trucks.
"I remember when tailgating used to mean putting down the bed of your truck, bringing your food and partying in the back," said Inscho, 56, a sales representative who moved from Ohio 10 years ago. "We never tailgated in college, so we thought we might give it a try."
Although this was the first tailgating experience for some fans, many of the fans said they have been tailgating for years.
"I am an (UA) alumna from 1986. We have been coming out here with family, friends and food forever," said Rita Boaz, 59, a flight attendant. "We wore our shirts and pins, but next game, we are painting our faces."
The smell of face paint and hot dogs under the intense heat - which got as high as 95 degrees by game time - and the pounding of drums affected people of all ages.
"It's very hot out here, but I am still having fun," said Ashley Loebe, 11, a Phoenix resident. "I have 11 or more U of A shirts, and I like to wear all of them!"
There was no shortage of merchandise available to visitors and students. Booths were set up with sponsor signs for Chevrolet trucks, Pennzoil and Pizza Hut selling UA paraphernalia outside the crowded entrance to Arizona Stadium, and even the parking lot of the Circle K, 1610 E. Sixth St.
Joey Baltus, 34, a local Tucson public school employee, speculated on why there weren't as many UA fans tailgating as expected.
"We have been out here partying since 5 p.m.," Baltus said. "We are in a pretty laid back state though, most of us fans won't be out here until later."
The difference between OSU and UA fans was noticeable to some out-of-state residents.
"At home, the stadium would be packed shoulder to shoulder at least three hours before the game," said Bob Pohlman, 52, a police officer from Toledo, Ohio. "Our fans are very loyal though, we will go anywhere."
Loyalty was a theme that ran across the UA campus Saturday afternoon as students with painted watermelons on their heads and bare torsos ruled the campus with fierce wildcat calls.
Other students showed their support in less colorful ways with family gatherings and great food.
"I partied with my brother and a few other alumni," said Kevin Bukata, electrical engineering freshman. "I love the band and the loyalty that I see in high school sports and definitely here in college football. Tailgating is a great way to start off the night."
