Palmetto Proving Grounds

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I have met Nichols while trying to pitch a marketing idea for USC. He was a pompous ass.

With that said, what is the purpose of this tailgate guys thing? I don't see a need unless you are just ridiculously lazy. I've never noticed anyone at Carolina football games having any issues setting up their own tailgate.

They needed that in Vanderbilt because the 200 Vandy people that typically attend their games needed to be shown how to tailgate. We do not.

There is no real place to tailgate for Vandy games. We always used our parking spot at the hotel where the parking lot backed up to the Stadium....

After all parking was sold and numerous GCC members were denied spots in the new Farmer's Market, this guy orchestrated a deal to lease a large section of the greenway to an outside third party without offering any of those designated tailgate areas to the same GCC members who were unable to get an actual parking spot but would have been very happy to have a designated tailgating area in the new Farmer's Market. The parking in the new Farmer's Market was marketed as having the entire green way free so people can use this area as walkways, play areas for kids, or just to enjoy the nice green area while tailgating. So you ask that I reserve judgment, I will not and I will continue to ask for answers from those responsible, namely Eric Nichols. If you are such good friends with him, why not tell him to return some calls and face the music for this horrible idea. It would be very much appreciated.

Yes. anyone can reserve one of these spots including UGA, Tennessee, Arkansas, Wofford, ECU, UAB, and every other opponent's fans that want one. This is a premier spot for USC tailgating and right of first refusal should have been given to GCC Members on every designated tailgate area at this venue. The problem is the actual parking spots were sold with no mention of the Tailgate Guys setup. A bit misleading to the purchasers of what they were actually getting. Very shady deal.

Is that how it is set up at other schools? Don't agree with it, but how could you stop assuming SC fans had first right of refusal?

just heard back from Eric on tweeter. Priority is given to those that purchase full season. so I guess an uga fan could purchase a whole season for 1 game.

There is no deadline, so it appears to be first come, first served. If a UGA fan called tomorrow, and a spot was available, I would think Tailgate Guys would not hesitate to rent a premier spot to the leg-humper.

Saw The Tailgate Guys in action for an Auburn away game a couple of years ago and they did a great job. They are very well thought of in Auburn and they really make a nice easy set up for their fans in their common tailgating area. I only wish I had thought of the idea and company!!

I've never met the guy, but at least he took the time to meet you. Plenty of people in his position would've told you to take a hike. Just because he didn't like your pitch doesn't make him pompous.

After looking at the map of the FM setup, I'm wondering if there may be less than meets the eye here.

How many tents will the Tailgate Guys be putting up, and how much of the green space will they be occupying?

Whether lots of fans of opposing teams will be coming in and ruining the ambiance, the Georgia game should tell the tale. My guess is that the Tailgate Guys' primary client base will be corporate, which should result in a melange of Gamecock fans, some opposing fans, and a fair number of pastel shirts. But that would be little different than we've been seeing in many of the high-roller precincts around W-B.