UI official, anti-21 leader agree: Hawkeye tailgating is too crazy

An anti-21 leader sent out a curious press release today, accusing the University of Iowa and Iowa City Council of teaching 18-year-old college students how to binge drink:

“While in the Summer freshman go through campus orientation, in the Fall, the University of Iowa and City Council orientates 18 year old freshman in binge drinking,” Matt Pfaltzgraf, campaign director for Vote Yes for Student Safety, wrote in the release. “At tailgating, freshman learn from others, the drinking habits that will lead them to over-consume and make them a safety risk to themselves and others.”

In case you're not sure what he's talking about, Pfaltzgraf helpfully includes a few YouTube links to videos of tailgate mayhem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfbN75dYvJQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWtOQTuDEZ4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quvPhfcqF00&feature=related

“Even though most are not of age to enter a bar, freshman witness firsthand and participate in the same dangerous levels of drinking committed by alumni, older adults, and various fans, all while the University of Iowa and the City Council turn a blind eye,” he wrote. “This sends a dangerous message to the newly arrived students that binge drinking is not only tolerated, but celebrated.”

Pfaltzgraf doesn't explain how allowing underage patrons in bars will mitigate that message, and it's important to point out that most football tailgates happen in University Heights – something that Iowa City leaders have no control over. But Pfaltzgraf has a point about the UI here – leaders can't talk out of both sides of their mouths when it comes to alcohol -- something they've certainly done in the past.

“ I love tailgating and hawkeye football with all my heart, but when you have 7 year olds bartending, middle aged people fighting, and mothers of two winning chugging contest and the city and school encourage it, what kind of message does that send to someone who is 18 and has only been on campus for a few weeks,” Pfaltzgraf asked me when I e-mailed him for more information about YESS position (it's that current laws should be enforced).

But what Pfaltzgraf apparently missed was UI President Sally Mason's announcements, as recently as last week, that the school is keen to clean up the home tailgating scene.

Mason didn't go into detail, but said the UI would take steps to reclaim the family atmosphere outside Kinnick Stadium on game days. Still, it looks like she and Pfaltzgraf are on the same page on this one.