Tailgate Season Is Coming… and We Ain’t Playing Around- a message from Jeff

If you’ve been to a Ben L. Smith Alumni tailgate before, you already know: it’s not just a little “pull-up and chill” situation. It’s a full-blown family reunion with better music and no nasty raisin potato salad. And this year? We’re making sure the 3rd Annual All Class Summer Tailgate Reunion is the best one yet.

Saturday, July 19, 2025 — mark it, highlight it, set an alarm. We’re taking over the track field this time, not the parking lot. Translation: more shade, more breeze, less asphalt-induced foot burn. And better parking, so you won’t spend half the walking to get to your spot and get there soak and wet from walk sweat.

I’m Jeff Crosby, past President of the Alumni Association, the webmaster of this here site, and head of the Event Planning Committee, and I’ve got a crew that knows how to put together an event — Travis Morris, Jocquita Williams, and Tameka Beasley. Same team that brought you the last two tailgates and the Homecoming Foodtruck Rodeos. We don’t miss. We’ve also had help from a few more dedicated alumni along the way — shoutout to everyone who keeps showing up and putting in work.

This year, we’re going bigger, louder, and hotter (but not too hot thanks to the field move). If you haven’t already, start hitting up your old crew, your favorite classmates, that person you had a locker crush on — and let them know it’s time to get together under the Smith sky with music, tents, food, and unapologetic nostalgia.

Oh — and keep your ears open. We’ll be dropping some Homecoming 2025 announcements at the tailgate. You’ll want to be there for that, too.

More updates, RSVP info, volunteer info, and space reservations are coming, just wanted to put the buzz in y’all ear right quick. . Just know: we’re working. And we don’t do boring.

See y’all July 19.