TAILGATING YSU says party spot plan is fair

Generous boosters will be awarded first pick of prized parking spots.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The demand for passes in the best tailgate party spots for Youngstown State University home football games made it necessary to create a priority system, but it's a fair one, YSU's athletic director insists.
Critics, though, have complained that the system gives priority to football fans who have forked over the most money.
"This is the fairest option we could come up with," Ron Strollo said Thursday. "Whenever there's change there's going to be people who are unhappy."
Among opponents of the system, "it's being perceived that it's an elitist group" that's getting first pick of the best tailgate parking spots near Stambaugh Stadium, Strollo said.
Loss of lot
YSU officials are adjusting to the loss of a 130-space parking lot used in the past for prefootball game tailgate parties. The lot, along Fifth Avenue, is the site of the wellness and recreation center YSU is constructing.
Losing the space meant the university had to be more selective about who gets passes to the remaining two tailgate lots.
One lot, M-24, is a 550-space lot along Fifth Avenue about 50 yards from Stambaugh Stadium. It's considered the most desirable location for tailgaters. The other, M-26, is a 350-space lot near the intersection of Fifth and Lincoln avenues. It's farther from the stadium.
The tailgate parking pass system being implemented this season gives Penguin Club members priority in getting the more desirable M-24 spaces. Members at the "Emperor Level" get first dibs on these slots. They are individuals who have contributed $400 to the university, for which they get two season tickets and choice of parking and seats, Strollo explained.
Booster level Penguin Club members join for $75.
Others pick
After Penguin Club members at either level are provided passes, then other tailgate parking pass holders will get their pick.
It's possible that most if not all of the prized M-24 lot spots, closer to Stambaugh, will be selected by then.
Strollo emphasized that both lots will feature equal accommodations for tailgaters. The M-26 lot will be served by a free shuttle to and from Stambaugh.
Beer will be available at both the lots through an "F" class liquor permit that allows nonprofit groups to sell beer to tailgaters. YSU has an unwritten agreement with Superior Beverage of Austintown to provide the beer that the nonprofit groups will sell during the event.
The university isn't receiving any compensation from Superior to provide the beer, Strollo said.
No bids
It was unnecessary to seek formal bids, Strollo said. YSU is allowing Superior to provide beer because the company has a longtime relationship with the university, he added. The company rents a private box at Stambaugh Stadium and is a key contributor to YSU athletics and the university, Strollo said.
Superior also advised the university what liquor permit to seek to allow the nonprofits to sell beer to tailgaters, he added.