Tailgating tradition

Reser family hosts large tailgate party when Civil War football

By: Casey Grogan

Posted: 12/4/08

As the scores and players change, one thing on Civil War weekend remains a constant: Al Reser and his wife Pat will be at either Autzen or Reser Stadium for tailgating.

With his company the namesake for Oregon State football's home, Reser remembers beginning his yearly tailgate 10 years ago in a small setting.

The tailgate outside the Civil War began very small with family and a few friends; the beginning of the tailgate is a far cry from where it is now, as over 400 people were invited to the event this year.

"It is fun to plan it and meet all the new people," Reser said.

The Reser family alternates hosting the event with friends in Eugene. The 2008 edition of the tailgate party was held in a large white tent in front of Legendary Gill Coliseum, and among the guests was Gov. Ted Kulongoski. There was even a brief appearance from Oregon State baseball coach Pat Casey.

The food at the tailgate party was not the traditional burgers and hotdogs, but was replaced by cakes and prime rib. A goal of this year's tailgate was to raise money and collect canned food donations for the South Corvallis Food Bank.

This season's game brought many visitors to the Reser family's tent, and while the results were not as Reser predicted - Oregon State 27, Oregon 21 - the tent was full of Beaver and Duck fans.

"Very exciting," Reser said of this year's Civil War and tailgate party. "The requests for tickets and entry to the tailgate were extremely high. We had to be careful not to invite too many people."

Casey Grogan, sports editor

sports@dailybarometer.com