In my younger days I was no stranger to wearing Hypercolor t-shirts, Reebok Pumps, and of course a slap bracelet. We all did. Then some kid in NY cut himself with one and ruined the fun for everybody else. Now I can keep my tailgating drink cold with a koozie that utilizes the same concept. KoozieSlap.com sent me a couple of their slap bracelet style koozies. Besides the obvious nostalgia and novelty, these koozies are quite functional. Unlike other koozies I was able to successfully use the same slap koozie on a can, bottle, glass, and solo cup. You can order these bad boys for $5 in a generic design or for North Carolina, Duke, Florida, Penn State, East Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech. Check out the slap koozie in action…

There are private parking lots in the vicinity of most college stadiums. Depending on the campus, they may be your best or only bet. And on some occasions you can build up a relationship with the owners and start having your space reserved each week. But Gator Parking takes the whole business ahead one giant leap by allowing you to book your spot for the season online. It may cost about $400-800 for the season, but the perks seem worth it.

- Three different lots that are near to both the stadium and bars and restaurants.

- You can show up at 8am or 20 minutes before the game and still have your spot. Lots are open until two hours after the game.

- Friends and family will always know where to find you

- The lot is monitored during the game.

- Unpaved, shaded lot, takes the edge off 90° September games.

- Most importantly, they have bathrooms.

This probably isn’t idyllic for rowdy 30 and under fans who like to party all weekend, and probably don’t drive after the game. But for the 50 year old set who just rolls in to town for the day, this seems like an easy solution. I can only hope this catches on in other college towns.

Unfortunately, you can’t actually buy this “I Drink Boone’s Farm” shirt at goodtimestailgating.com

Outside of fraternities, most people don’t wear a coat and tie tailgating these days. Many of us though have suffered the horror of the dreaded fall wedding . Southern Proper makes sure you can still sport some team pride while you’re chugging free bourbon and constantly checking your phone for scores. They have a collection of neck and bow ties adorned with the mascots of a variety of colleges. By my count they have Alabama, Auburn (though tiger paws), Clemson, East Carolina, Florida, UGA, Georgia Tech, LSU, Mississippi State, North Carolina, NC State, Ole Miss, Texas, and Virginia all covered. You may have to click on their sample to see the logo in a different color (like UGA and MSU in red and maroon). In addition to their online store, these ties are available at a bunch of stores across the Southeast and beyond.

A proper tailgating cocktail must to be easy to make. Wielding a cocktail shaker in a field is both impractical and asinine. Which brings us the two ingredient Dark and Stormy. Billed as the national drink of Bermuda, the Dark and Stormy is suitable on the beach or the hot tailgating temperatures of September. Combining Ginger Beer (which happens to be non-alcoholic) and Dark Rum (quite alcoholic) it provides a breezier and less sweet alternative to the average sorority girl’s Rum and Coke. The purist will insist on Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, whereas I decided to Release the Kraken Rum since I had it around. From what I can tell, people are as territorial about Ginger Beer as they are barbecue. I would suggest something, but really you’re going to end up with whatever you can find at your local high end grocery or liquor store.

Dark and Stormy

2 oz Dark Rum
4 oz Ginger Beer

Add rum and ginger beer to ice filled glass and stir. Garnish with lime. Talk like a pirate.

Here is an easy to make recipe called ECU Tailgate Wings. The link to East Carolina is not so much a North Carolina bbq secret as it is a Pirate fan creating the recipe. Marinading the wings in a zip lock bag makes it easy to throw in a cooler and take to the tailgate.

Ingredients

1 cup water
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup minced fresh ginger root
1/4 cup white sugar
2 limes, quartered
1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste
3 pounds chicken wings

Directions

1. Combine the water, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ginger, sugar, limes, and red pepper in a gallon-sized sealable bag; seal and shake to combine. Add the chicken wings; refrigerate 24 to 48 hours.

2. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-low heat and lightly oil grate.

3. Drain the marinade from the wings and discard. Cook the wings on the heated grill, turning occasionally, until juices run clear, 25 to 30 minutes.

I recently received an email wanting to know if I would feature Buzz Shot the Beer Pong card game on this site. I have agreed. Your average beer pong game is really fun and allows 2-4 people to socialize and drink. Then some douche walks up with his set of 10 different rules that “we always play by” and proceeds to suck all of the fun out of the game. Well now those douches have an aid in their quest because Buzz Shot:

* Helps eliminate the same people consistently winning by adding additional variables to the game, such as shooting with the opposite hand, making a bounce shot instead of an arc shot, having to choose a guest to take your shot, take a shot while sitting down, losing a turn, etc.

* Helps introduce those who may not be inclined to play the game as is (Guys….especially the female crowd)

* Is an excellent “ice breaker” at a party. Have a hard time starting up a conversation with those you don’t know? Bring BUZZ-SHOT along to a party and you won’t have that problem!

These are the worst pitches I’ve seen since the Boom Cooler. Yeah, if girls are intimidated by Beer Pong, they will be much more likely to play if you add rules that force them to take trick shots. Also, what would be your reaction if a stranger walked up to you and asked if you want to play Beer Pong, but then informed you that we’d be playing with a set of Monopoly Community Chest like cards? Would punching them in the throat be too polite? I have my own set of rules for Beer Pong. Throw ball into cup. Occasionally chug beer. Talk shit. That’s the beauty. That’s the fun. Leave it alone.