10Best: Small schools with big tailgating traditions

You don’t have to visit a big school to find great tailgating. Smaller campuses host some of the best parties, says Joe Cahn, who has attended about 1,000 tailgates since 1996, and runs Tailgating.com. He says that while big universities might have larger enrollment, smaller schools can win at hospitality and friendliness. “These are places that aren’t on everyone’s bucket list because they don’t know about them.” He shares some favorite spots with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

U.S. Naval Academy
Annapolis, Md.
Talk about an alumni network. Not only do football games attract academy graduates, but also thousands of active-duty sailors, along with veterans and their families. “Anyone who served in the Navy feels part of it,” Cahn says. “The midshipmen come out and tailgate with the different reunion classes set up around the outer ring of the stadium.” You’ll find similar scenes at Army and Air Force games. navysports.com

University of Louisiana-Lafayette
Football in Louisiana isn’t limited to powerhouse Louisiana State University. Instead, Cahn suggests heading an hour down the road to Lafayette. “You’re in the heart of Cajun country. It’s a wonderful sharing attitude. It’s a smaller school than LSU, so the food may be more important than the game.”  ragincajuns.com

North Dakota State University
Fargo, N.D.
While tailgating on the Great Plains can get chilly, you’ll find warm and welcoming fans at this NCAA Division I school, Cahn says. “They’re pioneers and partiers.” Games are a major Fargo social event, and while not known for fancy dining, you’ll see plenty of hearty food on offer. “Every once in a while you’ll find a bison burger, or elk or venison on the menu.” gobison.com

Ball State University
Muncie, Ind.
Perhaps it’s not surprising that David Letterman’s alma mater knows how to throw a party, complete with beer pong, cornhole and other games. “It’s a friendly atmosphere,” Cahn says. “They don’t get their due, but they’re a good school with big hearts. The students are just happy to be there.” ballstatesports.com

Florida A&M University
Tallahassee, Fla.
The social atmosphere is so warm at this historically black school that the gatherings often continue until kickoff, and sometimes longer, Cahn says. “Fraternities and sororities and church groups put together a great tailgate. There’s probably more fried fish than I’ve seen anywhere, and it’s delicious.” Come halftime the last celebrants leave the parking lot to make sure to catch the band’s performance on the field. famuathletics.com

St. Olaf College
Northfield, Minn.
This private liberal arts college has a strong academic tradition, but come Saturdays, they know how to throw a party. Cahn says he loves how the school’s fight song is a waltz, and the Scandinavian specialties often found on offer. “I don’t know how many schools would have pickled herring at a tailgate,” he says. wp.stolaf.edu

Wofford College
Spartanburg, S.C.
This tiny liberal arts school has one of the most family-friendly tailgating atmospheres Cahn has ever seen. “The children and families that come out there are incredible,” he says. Perhaps that’s why Cahn remembers there being plenty of sweets being consumed. “There’s a lot of desserts and cookies, and a lot of sandwiches and a lot of Krispy Kreme doughnuts.” athletics.wofford.edu

Marist College
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
This private Hudson River Valley liberal arts college gets a big tailgating boost from its neighbor, the Culinary Institute of America. Sometimes students will set up at Marist games, and the results are delicious, Cahn says. “I ate some pretty good stuff. Someone was doing a hamburger au poivre, with peppercorn sauce with a little brandy. You’ll see that in a high end restaurant.” marist.edu

San Jose State University, Calif.
Cahn says the large Latino enrollment at this Silicon Valley school adds some some spice to tailgate dining “You’ll find great tailgating food: tacos, fajitas and salsas.” But he said he also could tell he was in California when he saw some fans sneaking in salads, not a traditional tailgate staple. sjsu.edu

University of Delaware
Newark, Del.
It may be a small school in a small state, but the University of Delaware Blue Hens put on quite a show, Cahn says.  “It exceeds expectations. We think of Delaware as being where corporations register for tax purposes, but it’s a wonderful atmosphere — great parking, wonderful people and diverse food.” bluehens.com