South Alabama students embrace Tuesday night football tailgates

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - South Alabama students and faculty traded their typical Saturday routine for a Tuesday night celebration as the Jaguars prepared to host Arkansas State in an unconventional midweek football game.

The College of Education and Professional Studies was one of the many tailgate stops, with Associate Dean Tres Stefurak acknowledging the unique timing. “It’s a Tuesday night game, so you got to bring it on a Tuesday night,” Stefurak said. “Our Department of Integrative Studies is hosting our tailgate. We’re hoping to have a lot more students out here.”

The college pulled out all the stops for the occasion, with catering thanks to the Grand Hotel and serving prime rib sandwiches to attendees. “We got some prime rib sandwiches over there... we’re ready to go,” Stefurak said.

For students accustomed to larger football programs, South Alabama’s tailgate scene offered a more intimate experience. Jackson Williams, a student from Tuscaloosa, noted the contrast with his hometown’s massive pregame celebrations.

“I’m from Tuscaloosa, so it’s a lot more lowkey compared to where I’m from,” Williams said. “The tailgates are so, so big and like, but here you can just go up to a tent and eat good food and have a good time. It’s very, very chill.”

Despite the relaxed atmosphere, student enthusiasm remained high. Jackson Davis emphasized the importance of securing prime seating in the student section. “So we like to show up like first thing first, and get front row, which we might have to fight for today,” Davis said.

The College of Engineering used their tailgate as a networking opportunity, connecting students with industry professionals and alumni. Dr. Eric Steward, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, explained the strategic approach.

“All of our tailgates are intentionally designed to make sure we have an opportunity for our industry partners, alumni who work at our local engineering firms, to be able to communicate and network with our students and have that connection for internship and job opportunities,” Steward said.

Steward emphasized the university’s regional impact, stating, “We are the flagship of the Gulf Coast, so our role is to make sure that we’re supplying engineers to the region, and we have a very high job placement for engineers in the region.”

Student Samuel Washington captured the community spirit that defines South Alabama football culture. “So the community is very family oriented. We stand, you know, big JAG pride, always,” Washington said. “Tonight’s game, I think the Jags are taking it home, um, we don’t really care about no Arkansas, big Jag pride, big Jag.”