CityView Magazine

Sports Top | Fans at North Carolina State University in Raleigh get ready for the big game. Above | Mickey Locklear, left, grills at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. UNCP may be new to tailgating, but students and alumni catch on quick. K By Khary McGhee Before the big game, there’s the big party enny Godwin's Saturdays usually begin on Fridays. First, there’s a trip to the market. Then, the Fayetteville building contractor preps his pig cooker and a platform that serves as a makeshift patio. And finally he loads everything for the early-morning trip to Carter- Finley Stadium at North Carolina State University. When he rolls into his usual spot, right next to his brothers- in-law, everything is decked out in the Wolfpack’s signature red and white. It’s time to tailgate. Godwin wouldn’t have it any other way. After all, he began hosting his pre- game festivities in an effort to combine his love of N.C. State football with his love for family. "I guess it started about 20 years ago when my son started going to State," Godwin said. "You go to the games to support your team. Tailgat- ing is just a good way to get together and have a good time with your fam- ily and friends before the game." But given the equipment that tailgaters haul out to college and professional football stadiums each weekend, it's safe to say that tailgating nowadays isn't just a simple gathering of friends. Over the years, Godwin has seen tailgating accoutrements become more elaborate and technologically advanced. In fact, he was a bit of a tailgating innovator himself. "I remember the first time I saw one of those (canopies) that you see every- where now," Godwin said, referring to the colorful picnic canopies common- place at tailgates. "Back then I saw one, and I said to myself, 'I got to get me one of those.' I had to call California to order it." These days canopies are just the tip of the iceberg. It's not uncommon to see CityViewNC.com | 55 Play by play

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