Colorado State signs agreement with Tailgate Guys to enhance game day fan experience

FORT COLLINS, Colo.—Colorado State Athletics has announced a new partnership with Tailgate Guys to provide enhanced tailgate packages on campus during home football games at Canvas Stadium beginning in 2018. Tailgate Guys will manage gameday events and premium tailgate services at specific locations on the CSU campus, which represents the growing company's first step into the Mountain West Conference.

"Exciting new traditions were established on our picturesque campus last year with the opening of the new stadium," said CSU Director of Athletics Joe Parker. "Hosting football games on campus for the first time in 50 years gave our great fans the opportunity to immerse themselves in the pre- and postgame experience in more meaningful ways than ever before, and the partnership with a first-class organization like Tailgate Guys will enhance that experience for those who choose their services. It is one of numerous enhancements planned for 2018 that build off the momentum from last year's successful on-campus debut and inspired by feedback from a comprehensive survey of season ticket holders after last season."

Tailgate Guys, entering their 10^th season since inception, operates at over 30 collegiate and NFL locations across the country hosting over one million tailgate guests per year. Offerings will include all levels of premium tailgate items and services tailored for groups varying in size from small groups of five guests to large-scale event offerings for more than 1,000 guests.

Complete with a bellhop service, turnkey setup & take down, high peak tents and more, CSU also will offer options that include coolers with ice, media & TV packages and various catering choices. All tailgate packages will be located just steps from the stadium in a community of tailgate groups big and small. Colorado State donors and fans can expect the high level of tailored services from Tailgate Guys that has allowed them to build their industry-leading reputation.

Parker Duffey, President and CEO of Tailgate Guys, commented on the addition: "I am impressed with Colorado State Athletics and the momentum they have shown since our first visit on campus, and as a bonus, this is a dream come true for me—pairing a business that I love with a region of the country that I love. I couldn't be more excited to get this partnership started!"

Packages began to be available on June 12 through an exclusive presale opportunity for Ram Club donors and season ticket holders that will run through June 22. General public sales of tailgating packages begin June 25. For more information about Tailgate Guys and Colorado State please visit http://www.CSURams.com/tailgate or call (970) 619-1267.

The popular "Stadium Sessions" pre-game concerts, featuring some of the top musical acts from around the region, is again expected to be a key part of game days at Colorado State. In the inaugural season, the Bohemian Foundation supported top-quality live music on Fridays and on game day Saturdays all season long. Look for the lineup announcement in early August.

The 2018 Colorado State football season kicks off Saturday, Aug. 25 when the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors visit Canvas Stadium for a 5:30 p.m. kickoff. The home schedule includes visits from three other Mountain West foes—New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah State—as well as SEC foe Arkansas (Sept. 8) and Missouri Valley Football Conference member Illinois State (Sept. 22).

Season ticket packages include all six games at Canvas Stadium plus the annual Rocky Mountain Showdown against Colorado in Denver on Aug. 31, and begin as low as $250. For more information please visit CSURams.com/tickets or call the Rams Sales Team at 800-491-RAMS (7267).

Colorado State has an exciting variety of game day themes and promotions planned for 2018, as outlined below.

Aug. 25 vs. Hawai'i—Bike to the Game and Denver Day

In an effort to embrace and celebrate the Fort Collins bicycle culture, Colorado State University and CSU Athletics are teaming up with various community organizations to encourage fans to bike to the game. More information will be released soon but fans can expect a day centered around bikes featuring a pregame rally, "ride in" to campus, tailgating festivities and more bike-friendly activities. Denver Day celebrates the 60,000 Colorado State University alumni who call the Denver metro area home, as well as Denver serving as an important business and occupational partner for CSU. This game day will be programmed to actively engage Denver area alums and commerce collaborators. More information to come.

Sept. 8 vs. Arkansas—Military Appreciation Day and Stripe the Stadium

Military Appreciation Day is a special day to honor our nation's active military and veterans both before and during the football game. Displays and events highlight the pregame period, while the in-game tributes include special recognitions and introductions of both on the field and on the HD videoboard. To Stripe the Stadium, fans are encouraged wear either green or white, as assigned for their specific seating section, to create alternating colors of vertical stripes around the stadium seating bowl.

Sept. 22 vs. Illinois State—Ag Day with 4H and Orange Out

Ag Day with 4-H is a tradition begun in 1981, hosted by CSU's College of Agricultural Sciences and the Department of Athletics along with Colorado agricultural organizations and associations. The pregame event features the state's agricultural growers and producers preparing Colorado's premier outdoor barbecue from quality Colorado food products to fund scholarships for agricultural sciences students. This tradition honors both the institution's roots and Colorado's rich agricultural history in a celebration that appeals to all ages.

Oct. 13 vs. New Mexico—Homecoming and Family Weekend, All-Sports Reunion

Colorado State University's Homecoming and Family Weekend Oct. 11-13 celebrates the past, present and future of our institution for alumni, families, community members and visitors. In addition to a number of class reunions, the week will feature a series of events including the Distinguished Alumni Awards on Thursday, Oct. 11 and the annual parade and bonfire on Friday, Oct. 12. Last year Colorado State played its first on-campus Homecoming game in 50 years, at the new stadium, after the closure of the off-campus Hughes Stadium. For a complete overview of the week's activities, please visit www.homecoming.colostate.edu.

The All-Sports Reunion Weekend is an opportunity for former Aggies and Rams student-athletes to connect with their respective programs, reunite with former teammates and coaches, reminisce on the good times had at CSU and make new memories together on green, gold and Aggie orange soil.

Oct. 26 vs. Wyoming—Tackle Cancer

October is nationally recognized as breast cancer awareness month and Colorado State Football will join numerous professional and collegiate teams in the effort. The Rams will have various pink accents and accessories added to their game attire. Fans are encouraged to wear pink as well. Numerous cancer awareness initiatives will be spread throughout game day, bringing additional recognition to the fight against cancer.

Nov. 17—Utah State: Commitment to Campus, Take a Kid to the Game and Extra Yard for Teachers

Commitment to Campus is a CSU program through which Athletics welcomes faculty and staff with special season ticket rates, and to a designated game each season. Tickets to this game also will include a concession voucher. The Extra Yard for Teachers initiative is sponsored by the College Football Playoff to allow each FBS institution to honor education professionals in their area, while Take a Kid to the Game is a CSU Athletics promotion that welcomes children with a variety of family-friendly activities before and during the game.

Other promotions that will be added to specific games during the 2018 season include:

Civic and Service Day/Commitment to Community: Colorado State University and CSU Athletics are collaborating with area municipalities to develop a day that recognizes the individuals and civic entities that help make Northern Colorado such a special place to call home. Additional details will be announced in the near future.

Three-game mini-plan packages are now on sale and single-game tickets will go on sale July 25. Rocky Mountain Showdown tickets will go on sale June 25 at 10 a.m.

Student tickets for the first home game may begin to be claimed on Aug. 7, and will be made available to claim for subsequent games on the Monday following each home game. The student ticket claim process will again be offered through the special student ticket portal.

The Colorado State athletics department provides a special football game day website, which provides in-depth information on everything from tickets to parking, tailgating, game day logistics and much more. The website can be found at www.CSURams.com/footballgameday. More information for specific games, and new procedures and offerings, will be added to the page as the season draws closer.

2018 Colorado State Football Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 25 vs. Hawai`i—5:30 p.m. MT (CBS Sports Network)
Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Colorado (Denver)—7:30 p.m. MT (CBS Sports Network)
Saturday, Sept. 8 vs. Arkansas—5:30 p.m. MT (CBS Sports Network)
Saturday, Sept. 15 at Florida—4 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Saturday, Sept. 22 vs. Illinois State
Saturday, Oct. 6 at San José State—7:30 p.m. PT (CBS Sports Network)
Saturday, Oct. 13 vs. New Mexico
Friday, Oct. 19 at Boise State—7 p.m. MT (ESPN2)
Friday, Oct. 26 vs. Wyoming—8 p.m. MT (CBS Sports Network)
Saturday, Nov. 10 at Nevada—Time TBD (ESPN Networks)
Saturday, Nov. 17 vs. Utah State
Thursday, Nov. 22 at Air Force—1:30 p.m. MT (CBS Sports Network)

*Home games in bold

More kickoff times and TV information to be released in the coming weeks

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