In the late 70s, Sherry Millington and her roommate’s tailgating tradition involved a station wagon, ice chests full of beers and camaraderie. Now, returning to UT for the first football game of the 2024 season, the two find themselves enveloped by an even stronger camaraderie at the University’s tailgating tradition: Bevo Blvd.
On Aug. 31, Texas Athletics hosted its annual tailgating event, Bevo Blvd., which takes place along San Jacinto 20th Street all the way to the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center before every Texas football home game. Beginning in 2018, the tradition occurs three and a half hours before kickoff, providing free fun from interactive games to an appearance from Bevo himself.
UT alumna Millington said she and her college roommate arrived early to the game in the spirit of her roommate’s father.
“Her dad always got to the games early,” Millington said. “He would go into the stadium the minute they opened the doors, and (we’d) sit there and watch the warm up.”
The same spirit rings true for Terry Pogue, a business alumnus, who said his love for the culture around Texas football began as a cub scout and persists as a 61-year-old former Longhorn.
“(As a cub scout), we got to usher people into (their) seats. When the game started, if there were empty seats we got to sit in them,” Pogue said. “That’s how I became (a fan) — that’s when Earl Campbell was here.”
Texas’ recent addition to the SEC made for a monumental and energetic game. However, Pogue said he holds a more controversial opinion on the team’s conference change
“I (couldn’t) care less about the SEC,” Pogue said. “I like that we’re going. It’s going to help our recruiting and everything, but we’re Texas. People want to do what we do (regardless).”
Halfway into the event, the Longhorn Band marched to the stadium followed by the football team during the Stadium Stampede. Brooke Matherne, a family member of quarterback Quinn Ewers, said despite not being a sports fan, watching the marching band and the event’s family-oriented feel served as a highlight.
“We’re here to support (Quinn Ewers),” Matherne said. “It’s cool that UT does (the tailgate). We’re seeing all of our family, so it’s like a mini-reunion.”
Monica and Kelvin Banks Sr. said ever since their son, #78 Kelvin Banks Jr., began attending UT, they came in from Houston to support him, attend the tailgates and enjoy the Longhorn spirit. While fans like the Banks family traveled around two hours, Brooke Rusher and her husband said they made the eight-hour drive from Oklahoma to showcase their love for Texas football.
“When you don’t like any of the OU or OSU football teams, you become a Longhorn,” Rusher said. “We like to come as many times as we can; the road trip is long but we come early to be part of (Bevo Blvd.).”
Wrapping up at 2 p.m., Bevo Blvd. marked its fifth year of energizing fans from all over. Pogue said he feels this tradition has made its mark.
“This is one of the best tailgates in the United States,” Pogue said. “Now, only in a short time have we turned it into that.”
