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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 | maconmagazine.com 67 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 | maconmagazine.com 67 LEFT Satterfields BBQ (see cover) offers tailgate takeout packages. Owner Ben Hampton tells us that besides frequent Mercer gameday orders, it's a go-to for locals Marty and Elmo Koplin before they hit the road to cheer on UGA. "The return of football has brought our alumni back to campus like nothing else." T H E B E A R S B R I N G T H E PA R T Y H O M E Tailgating in Macon has been popular since the first game at Mercer University's Five Star Stadium in 2013. "Our alumni and friends grew up tailgating, just not at Mercer," said B. Todd Smith, Mercer's Associate Vice President for University Advancement. "The return of football has brought our alumni back to campus like nothing else. There are different alumni and fraternity and sorority groups at most every game. It is great seeing people stopping by other tailgates to catch up with friends." Ken Blair, (B.S. Organizational Leadership, 2013), co-chairs the Mercer University African American Alumni Network (AAAN), which sponsored a pregame performance at homecoming in 2023. "From reminiscing and celebrating with college friends, the delicious food, along with the Greek step-show with fraternities and sororities, and the entertainment through music with both a DJ and a live band, there's a favorite song and dance move for everyone," Blair said. "The high energy is continued in the stands as everyone cheers on the Mercer Bears with Toby, the band, and the cheerleaders." He and fellow co-chair Katherine Ficklin have been especially encouraged by the growth and momentum of African American Alumni attending the homecoming tailgate, Blair stated. It's not just the food or football – but also the connections made by recent graduates and older alumni who meet in the shared spirit of school pride – that make the tailgate energy jubilant. In Blair's role as director of strategic initiatives at Wesleyan College across town, he's even planning a Wesleyan tailgate at Mercer home games for 2024, further spreading the joy. BELOW Alum step dance at the African American Alumni Network tailgate. Photo by Christopher Ian Smith courtesy of Mercer University.