Georgia Tech Tailgate Information

Georgia Tech is an engineering university located in metro Atlanta, Georgia with a rich tailgating tradition featuring rivalries with other schools, particularly Alabama, Clemson, and the University of Georgia. The rivalries between the sport teams extend to the fans who are very intense and competitive in the gear, attire, and chants that characterize the tailgating activities

  1. Campus Information

    • The Georgia Tech campus has a sprawling tree lined suburban atmosphere located within downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Tech Parkway is a primary entrance into the Georgia Tech campus and a popular street to use for tailgating activities. The street is one way in two directions, with a median divider in the center that provides ample free parking for larger vehicles including recreational vehicles. The student center parking decks at the end of Tech parkway are another prime location for tailgating activities. Active students have parking passes but visitors and alumni will need to pay a fee to park. The parking lot behind the Alexander Memorial Coliseum is the prime tailgating venue for Georgia Tech alumni.

    Tailgating Culture

    • Most Tech students tend to be more scientific than primal in their approach to partying and tailgating. The primary school mascot and fight song is the "ramblin wreck" which is based upon a mechanically restored 1930 Ford Model T and a part of all major sporting events. The "ramblin wreck" and primary school colors are black and gold as embodied by the school's secondary mascot, the yellow jacket bumble bee. The "wreck" is normally reserved for on field appearances, however "Buzz" the yellow jacket frequently socializes and interacts with tailgating participants.

    Tailgating Accessories

    • The Ford Model T, the yellow jacket, and black and gold colors are primary themes of all Georgia Tech sporting events and tailgating activities. Typical tailgating accessories including tents, cups, plates, napkins, and bags feature logos of the yellow jacket and "ramblin wreck" using the yellow and black school colors.

    Tailgating Food

    • Tech tailgaters like to grill the typical slate of hot dogs, sausages and burgers. Local watering holes including the Mellow Mushroom at the corner of North Avenue and Tech parkway are also popular tailgating venues. The Georgia Tech campus is within close proximity to one of the largest and most historic fast food drive in restaurants in the world called "The Varsity." This restaurant is a major attraction in metro Atlanta featuring retro drive up curb service and an expansive fried fast foods menu. Georgia Tech tailgating favorites are "Yankee Dogs," "strings" (french fries) and a frosty orange. The Varsity also provides an additional venue for tailgating which is adjacent to the formal campus property.

    Green Tailgating

    • Georgia Tech launched a formal tailgate recycling program in 2007. There are recycling bins located throughout the campus and tailgaters are encouraged to recycle their waste after all sporting events and tailgating activities.