VALDOSTA — What an excitement fall brings with not only the changing of the seasons and cooler weather, but football and good food as well! Throughout the country, rabid fans gather round to feast on their grilling favorites at tailgate parties before the game — and Valdosta State University alumni are no exception. Tents are pitched, grills are fired up and socializing begins as fans enjoy going from tent to tent, catching up on the news from fellow tailgaters. Today, we focus on the Blazer Grill Team tailgating group, as Hal Bennett of Johnston’s Meat Market in Monticello, Fla., does the cooking honors with a little help from his friend, Guy Ervin, an accountant at Fowler, Holley, Rambo & Stalvey, P.C.
The VSU Blazer Grill Team tailgating group had a humble beginning about 11 years ago with two couples with a little grill in the back of a pickup truck. Today, their tailgating is a major production with catering-size grills and five tents, including two with ceiling fans. Another huge fan keeps the tailgaters cool while they enjoy watching football games on the flat-screen, satellite TV with surround sound. In fact, the group acquired so many amenities that they had to purchase a trailer.
“We have about 20 members who make an annual contribution,” said Lee LeFiles, who attended VSU in the late ’80s.
LeFiles and wife Missy and Hal Dixon and wife Debbie were the original tailgaters of this group, LeFiles said. The group evolved to include Guy Ervin, Jeff Jones, Dan Tillman, Hamilton Tillman, Wayne Rambo, Carl Holley, Dave Zammit, Fleming Hunt, Jeff Hooks, John Crawford, John Trombetta, Kurt Keppler, Pat Beasley, Mary Gooding, Ronnie Chauncey, Steve Quinn, Tim “Chicken” Harris, and Tony Marzano, as well as their spouses.
Friends and invited guests join the tailgaters at the home games.
“We do this to bring people to the game to support the university,” LeFiles said. “We want folks to come and be a part of the tradition here.”
LeFiles said the tailgaters have gathered as early as 12 hours before a game, but it’s typically seven hours.
“Hal Bennett came (to cook) for homecoming (last year) and two events this year. Another person (C.W. Massey) comes down from Lake Jackson for the first game and cooks for us.
“The food is outstanding. I challenge anybody to top the groceries we have here. We just have a big time.”
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