Review: University of Tulsa’s Pre-game Tailgate is nonstop entertainment for the whole family!

It is 7:30 am on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, and I am loading up my stepdad’s SUV with tailgating items to head to the University of Tulsa for a game against Oklahoma State University’ football team. We made a quick stop at Quik Trip for ice, water, and Gatorade, then we were off on our journey.

After about a 25-minute drive to the campus, we ascended onto what is known as the “Commons” which is where for the next three and a half hours food, fun, live music, and drinks would happening. The Commons is a large grassy area where hundreds of fans from both teams were tailgating.

My stepdad and his tailgate crew of about 20 or so people each week showed up made a “Bloody Mary” bar with all the ingredients, a table with donuts, sausage rolls, and muffins. We drank and laughed for the next couple of hours as we waited for the start of the game.

The music was provided with TU’s own DJ, djchuckg a national touring DJ, and event entertainment. He played for approximately two hours before the headliner Kylie Morgan appeared on stage. An Oklahoma native, known for being a storyteller, and engaging live performer. She is often on the road a lot. Either headlining her own show or opening up for a major acts such as Walker Hayes, and Old Dominion. Each home game at Tulsa, features a music act for the fans. Last year, they had Sean Kingston, Swae Lee performed at different home games. The atmosphere is always an enjoyable.

While this was happening, the university provided kids’ activities such as a giant slide, a tilt-o-world, and other carnival games. There were activities for all ages.

At 10:45 a.m., we covered the food and walked to the front entrance of the stadium. Oklahoma State fans outnumbered the Tulsa fans three to two in size. As we walked shoulder to shoulder with fans, I thought even though we were cramped in, the university was making money.

We took our seats shortly before the kickoff, I looked to the right of me at the south side stands and noticed all orange shirts with dots of blue. Oklahoma State’s marching band, and pom squad were fired up and loud.

The game started, and OSU was off to the races. Oklahoma state was bigger and faster but somehow TU contained them for a short while. Tulsa’s offense could not get it going as it went downhill fast. Oklahoma State ended up winning 45-10.