NORMAN — Craig Gavras was out late Thursday night. After watching his son, Peyton, play in the Crosstown Clash, he had to take him to the hospital for dehydration. They didn’t leave the emergency room until the early morning hours.
Even after a full night, one of the only things his son wanted to know on the ride back home was if his father would be setting up their tailgating tents Friday morning. So much for life’s priorities in the Sooner Nation.
“It’s the atmosphere,” Gavras said. “I can sit home and watch the same thing. But here, you are getting into the game. Getting that game spirit — this is what college football is all about.”
Gavras and his father, John have been coming to Oklahoma games since 1972. Even back then they were part of the small tailgating community. However, it was a much different experience then compared to now.
“It’s all altogether different,” John Gavras said. “It used to be you would bring sandwiches or chicken and spread a blanket out. Now you have tents, you have beer, satellite TV. You’ve got it all.”
Tailgating veterans like the Gavras have their routine down pat. They know exactly when to show up in order to get a coveted spot.
For the top-ranked Sooners season opener, John knew they would have to show up earlier than usual in order to get their spot. They arrived just after 10 a.m. and went around and said hello to people they haven’t seen since last year.
“You get to know everybody in this area,” Craig Gavras said. “You look around and everybody is back this year. It’s the same groups. Whoever shows up first saves the spots for the other.”
It’s not just Oklahoma fans who fall spell to the atmosphere that goes on outside the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Visiting fans often find themselves wondering around what would be considered enemy territory and finding a friendly face.
“Out here is just a big, old, fun time,” Craig Gavras said. “You can talk a little smack and have a beer. But after we win, you have to come back tonight and take the medicine, too. The beer is not free. You have to come back after the game and take the medicine, too. Every now and then, they do.”
Then there are the times allegiances are put aside as fans come together.
“A night I will never forget was when Texas Tech was playing Texas and Michael Crabtree had caught that pass at the very end of the game,” John said. “We had won our game against Nebraska and were heading out. You could hear everybody. We left our TV and satellite going during the game because usually someone will stay out here. When we came out, there was like 150 people around our tent watching the TV.”
“That’s what it’s all about,” he said. “Just because your game is over, there is still that atmosphere out here. Everybody is in a great mood. It’s just camaraderie.”
The Gavras have turned their tailgating excursions into a family outing that spans generations and gender. Beside Craig’s son, he has daughters in sixth and ninth grades who look forward to spending the entire day in the shadow of the stadium.
Tailgating has become more than just grilling and drinking. It has become an experience.
“OU has done a lot to make the tailgating experience better,” John Gavras said. “The Heisman park, things to show people. They’ve opened it up. They understand this is a daylong event. Other fans are always impressed with our Heisman park. They think this is a great idea. Now all they have to do is get a Heisman winner.”
After almost 40 years of going to games, the Gavras know this will be a part of their lives for generations. From meeting fans from across the country, making new friends and experiencing great victories and humbling defeats, Craig and John couldn’t imagine being anywhere else on a Saturday during the fall.
“It’s just part of gameday now,” Craig Gavras said. “I can’t see sitting at home and just driving over here two hours before the game. A lot of people do that. That’s great. But after experiencing this for years and years, OU football is more than a three-hour game. OU football is Saturday.”
