LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The annual Aggie vs. Lobo football game kicks off Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26, at Aggie Memorial Stadium, and there has been little talk about the actual game. The rivalry game is usually well attended, with people from around the state coming out to cheer on their hometown favorite. Despite that, much of the conversation surrounding the game has focused on the tailgate.
NMSU recently changed its tailgate rules. The tailgate lot now requires an ID check and a scan of students’ event passes, meaning anyone under 21 receives a wristband and cannot consume alcohol. This also means that for this weekend’s game, students from UNM will be unable to attend the student tailgate.
NMSU senior Gabriel Law said the new rules could hurt the atmosphere surrounding the rivalry.
“I feel like the new rules are harmful to the atmosphere of the tailgate,” Law said. “They really just hurt the fun and don’t offer any benefit. I’ve never had any experience at the tailgates that would have been cause to implement these rules and I feel bad for those that came to college and wanted to have fun and now that will be hindered a bit. It’s quite sad.”
A small informal survey of NMSU students found that 75% said the new tailgate rules have changed their plans. Half of respondents said they hate the new rules, while the other 50% remained neutral. No respondents expressed support for the changes. Despite these reactions, 62.5% said they still plan to attend the upcoming Aggie vs. Lobo tailgate. While the informal survey does not represent the entire student body, the results show how some students are responding to the changes.
The survey also conveyed a mostly negative reaction toward the exclusion of non-NMSU students. Of the students surveyed, 87% said they disagreed with the restriction. Several respondents said the policy could prevent friends, family members and visiting UNM students from participating in the rivalry-day atmosphere.
Some students also questioned whether the new tailgate policy could create other safety concerns.
NMSU junior Anika Montoya said she believes the ID requirement could have unintended consequences.
“I think that the ID check rule is going to cause a lot of people to drink pregame and then drive,” Montoya said.
When asked what she would change about the new rules, NMSU sophomore Addisyn Hartman said officials should focus more on physical altercations rather than excluding outside students.
“Be more on top of the issue with the physical fights, but not ban outside students completely,” Hartman said.
Physical altercations have also been a concern surrounding rivalry events. In a school-wide message from NMSU President Valerio Ferme and UNM President Steve Goldstein, students were encouraged to prioritize safety and act responsibly during the Rio Grande Rivalry.
“Harassment, threats, fighting, or discriminatory language have no place in Aggie Memorial Stadium or our tailgating areas, and they won’t be tolerated,” the message said.
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