SMU: The best football tailgate in the land
As SMU enters its second year in the ACC, the University celebrates a milestone anniversary for Ford Stadium and its iconic tailgating tradition.
DALLAS (SMU) – Twenty-five years ago, SMU set a simple goal – to create the best college football game-day experience in America. The Gerald J. Ford football stadium had just opened, bringing football back to campus, along with a new tailgating tradition, The Boulevard.
Today, nearly 30,000 students, alumni, fans, neighbors and friends tailgate on the tree-lined boulevard in the heart of the campus before heading into the stadium for the game.
White tents dot the Boulevard, tailgating home to student groups, alumni and Mustang fans. Some fans bring tricked out trailers – complete with grills, freezers, giant screen tvs, sound systems and custom fan décor. Others bring favorite snacks, drinks and friends to start the walkable street party.
Here’s what fans should know about SMU’s Boulevard:
It starts fashionably early. Boulevarding typically begins four hours before kickoff. Southern fashion is part of the flair – fans arrive in sundresses, polos and custom boots, especially for the season opener when many wear all white. At this family-friendly and dog-friendly tailgate, even pets are dressed in SMU gear. 
Tradition takes center stage. As a pre-game tradition, the Mustang Band, cheer squads and Peruna, SMU’s miniature horse mascot, lead a march through campus two hours before each home game. It’s SMU’s way of celebrating the energy of the Boulevard.
Even a parade. Homecoming on the Boulevard begins with a parade, complete with tissue paper covered floats, Homecoming royalty candidates and marching bands. Kids scramble to collect candy thrown from the floats.
It’s as photogenic as it is fun. With a backdrop of Collegiate Georgian red-brick buildings, live oak trees and carefully manicured lawns, SMU regularly appears on lists of “Most Beautiful Campuses.” Home game tailgating in crisp SMU red and blue just ramps up the atmosphere.
We did it! Assignment completed, SMU created the best gameday atmosphere in the land. See for yourself on Nov. 22 at 11 a.m. when the SMU Mustangs take on the Louisville Cardinals in the last home game of the season.
Learn more about Boulevarding and find more gameday tips .