The inaugural game of the Wolfpack’s 50th football season in Carter-Finley Stadium kicked off Thursday night with thousands of fans in attendance and many participating in the traditional pre-game tailgate, despite new policy changes.
Upon entering the stadium, fans were met with the “clear bag policy”, a new initiative launched by NC State that defines which bags people may bring into the stadium. Only clear tote bags, gallon bags, purses and diaper bags, if accompanied by an infant, are allowed, according to NC State athletics.
Following the new rule, attendees reported longer wait times to enter the stadium than years past.
“It took me about 45ish minutes to get in,” said Emily Duquaine, a junior studying biomedical engineering.
People entering the stadium with a bag that wasn’t allowed were given the option of emptying everything into a clear bag provided by security, or leaving their bag outside of the stadium.
Like most NC State football games, tailgaters packed the open lots surrounding the stadium in the hours leading up to kickoff.
Most fans arrived two to three hours early, though some said they got there five hours beforehand.
Tailgating activities ranged from listening to music and dancing to relaxingly taking in all the pre-game festivities.
As far as public opinion of the new bag policy, some life-long Wolfpack fans like Katie Hester, a veteran tailgater of 20 years, didn’t seem to care.
“It doesn’t bother me at all,” Hester said. “I don’t mind it, I usually carry a clear plastic bag with me anyway.”
Safety was also a concern for Hester, who believed that it should be a top priority. According to NC State, the new rule was made for that very reason.
In an email from NC State Athletics to all students who received a ticket, they wrote: “To provide a safer environment for all our guests and in line with similar sporting venues across the country, NC State has adopted a clear bag policy for 2016.”
Despite this email being sent, many tailgaters were unaware of this new policy.
Zane Warriner, a graduate student studying electrical engineering, was unaware of the new rule but didn’t think it would affect him since he doesn’t bring bags to games anyway.
“I don’t think it will really affect guys because we don’t usually bring bags into the games.” Warriner said. “It’s mostly girls who carry in purses”.
Some chose to stay in the tailgate lot after kickoff, while others began waiting in the long, and sometimes unmoving, line to get in.
While the new rule only physically applies to people with bags, it affects everyone who attends because of the longer wait times
NC State students tailgate before the first football game of the season on Sept. 1 against William & Mary. The Wolfpack ran away with the win, 48-14.
