Tailgating and Requirements for Athletic Events

Applies to:	Original Policy Date:	Date of Last Review:	Approved by:
All Employees, Students, Visitors, and Community - Outdoor Athletic Events held on Florida Tech property	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026	Dr. John Nicklow, President

Policy Owner: Athletics and Department of Security

Policy Purpose

Florida Institute of Technology encourages a fun, respectful, and family friendly game day environment for all attendees. These interim rules are adopted to clarify expectations for tailgating, alcohol consumption, outside food and beverage restrictions, and general entry rules for outdoor athletic events, to ensure consistent enforcement and promote safety and compliance with Florida law and University standards.

Policy Scope

This policy applies to all individuals attending outdoor athletic events hosted by Florida Institute of Technology, including but not limited to students, employees, alumni, guests, visitors, and spectators.

This policy governs tailgating activities, outside food and beverage limitations, and the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages:

• On Florida Tech–owned or controlled property.
• In designated tailgating areas
• In connection with outdoor intercollegiate athletic events

This policy supplements, and does not replace, the University’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy, and applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the event of a conflict, the more restrictive provision shall apply.

This policy does not apply to:

• Indoor athletic facilities, stadium seating areas, or competition venues.
• University sponsored events where alcohol is served pursuant to a separate event approval process and valid alcohol licensing.
• Private events conducted under a separate written agreement approved by the University.

Policy Statement

Florida Institute of Technology is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and family friendly environment at all athletic events held on university property. The University recognizes that clear, well communicated expectations regarding tailgating and the possession and consumption of food, beverages, and alcoholic beverages are essential to ensuring consistency, safety, and compliance with applicable laws and University standards.

This policy establishes uniform rules governing tailgating activities, outside food and beverage limitations, and the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in connection with designated outdoor athletic events. These rules are intended to reduce ambiguity, promote responsible behavior, ensure non selective enforcement, and protect the health, safety, and welfare of students, employees, guests, and visitors.

Nothing in this policy is intended to expand or modify Florida Institute of Technology’s alcohol licensing authority or permit alcohol service where otherwise prohibited by law or University policy. The University reserves the right to restrict, suspend, or revoke tailgating, food, beverage, and alcohol privileges at any time based on operational, safety, or compliance considerations.

Procedures/Guidelines

Tailgating Locations and Timeframes:

Tailgating is permitted only in designated tailgating area on the map below.

• Tailgating may begin no earlier than (2) hours prior to the scheduled start time of the athletic event.
• All tailgating must cease at the start of the event and may not resume until the event ends and may stay for one hour.
• Tailgating is not permitted inside athletic facilities or within the event venue footprint.

Alcohol Consumption – General Rules

• Alcohol may only be consumed in the designated tailgating area outside of the athletics venues.
• Alcohol may only be consumed by individuals 21 years of age or older, in compliance with Florida law.
• Any person in possession of alcohol, or a beverage suspected of containing alcohol, may be required to provide valid identification to Campus Security at any time.

Individuals unable to provide valid identification or otherwise in violation of these rules are subject to immediate removal from university property and may be subject to law enforcement action or university procedures, as applicable.

Permitted Alcohol Types

• Alcohol is limited to:
  • Beer
  • Malt beverages
  • Wine
• The following are strictly prohibited:
  • Liquor or distilled spirits
  • Mixed drinks
  • Large quantities of alcohol
  • Common source containers (including but not limited to kegs, beer balls, multi liter containers, or similar devices)

Containers and Presentation

• Alcoholic beverages may be possessed and consumed only in:
  • Single serving aluminum cans, or
  • Non glass cups
    • Glass containers of any kind are prohibited.
    • Drinking games, funnels, beer bongs, or any activity encouraging excessive or rapid consumption are prohibited.

Athletic Facilities, Event Areas and Concessions

• No outside containers, food, or beverages, including alcoholic beverages, may be brought into any athletic facility, stadium, competition, area, or spectator seating area from outside the venue, unless expressly permitted by Athletics. Alcohol purchased through approved concessions must be consumed only within designated areas and in compliance with all applicable laws, University policies, and event-specific restrictions.

Clear Bag Policy

To provide a safer environment and more expedited entry for fans, Florida Tech has implemented a clear bag policy that limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into all sporting events at the Clemente Center and at Panther Athletic Complex.

• Approved Bags
  • Bags that are clear plastic and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
  • One-gallon, clear, resealable, plastic storage bags
  • Small clutch bags or purses no larger than 4.5" x 6.5"
  • Seat cushions (any pockets on cushion must be empty upon entry)
  • Individual-sized hand sanitizer bottles, sanitary wipes and all applicable medical exceptions
• Prohibited bags include, but are not limited to: Any non-clear bag including (but not limited to, see above "Approved bags and items"
  • Purses
  • Diaper bags*
  • Cases (camera, binoculars, etc.)
  • Backpacks
  • Printed pattern plastic bags
  • Reusable grocery totes
  • Mesh or straw bags
  • Duffel bags
  • Large totes

*Items normally carried in a diaper bag must be put into a clear plastic bag for venue entry

Enforcement

These rules are requirements, not preferences.

Campus Security is responsible for enforcement and is authorized to:

• Request identification
• Require disposal of prohibited items
• Direct individuals to leave designated areas
• Remove individuals from university property when necessary

Enforcement shall be conduct based, applied consistently and non selectively, and carried out in a professional and respectful manner.

Failure to comply with these interim rules may result in:

• Removal from the tailgating area and/or athletic event
• Loss of future tailgating privileges
• Referral to law enforcement when applicable
• Referral for student conduct review when applicable

Reservation of Rights

Florida Institute of Technology reserves the right to amend, revoke, or further restrict tailgating and alcohol privileges at any time based on safety, operational, or compliance considerations.