Lake Forest College

Lake Forest College Athletics welcomes alumni, families, supporters, and team communities to gather and celebrate during designated days throughout the academic year. These events – including, but not limited to, Alumni Day, Senior Day, milestone recognition events, and tailgates – are intended to foster community while ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees.
 
All attendees are expected to:

• Conduct themselves in a respectful manner.
• Follow all Lake Forest College policies and directions from event staff.
• Respect College facilities and property.
• Dispose of trash and personal belongings before leaving.

 
The Athletics Department reserves the right to end any event or remove individuals whose behavior is disruptive, unsafe, or inconsistent with College policies.
 
Tailgating
To reserve space for tailgate, please contact Assistant Athletic Director/Director of Athletic Facility Operations Mike Raymond.
 
General 

• Tailgating is permitted on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday for any regular season Athletics contest held on campus. Postseason contests will be considered but are not guaranteed. 
• Any registered student group/Athletics parent group is eligible to request 
• Requests must be submitted 72 hours in advance of the contest and groups will be assigned numbered spaces behind the Public Safety building. The lot opens two (2) hours prior to a contest and will close ninety (90) minutes following conclusion of the contest. Tailgating outside the designated area is not permitted. 
• Tailgating is an outdoor activity subject to weather variables. A tailgate may not be moved indoors on campus. 
• Athletic Department staff reserves the right to alter tailgate policy at any time or refuse requests based on event volume on a given day. 

  
Alcoholic Beverages  

• You must be 21 years of age or older to consume or be in possession of alcohol.  
• Persons 21 years of age or older are prohibited from providing alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age for any reason.  
• Kegs, common containers, and drinking games are prohibited.  
• Consumption of alcohol outside of the designated tailgating area is strictly prohibited.  

  
Tailgate Set-up  

• Open flames, such as fire pits, portable fireplaces and tiki torches are strictly prohibited.  
• Propane and charcoal grills are allowed. Please dispose of charcoal in the designated garbage cans.  
• Tailgate grill is available for use upon request but Forester Athletics will not provide propane. 
• Tailgaters are responsible for bringing their own tents, tables, chairs, garbage bags, propane, etc.  
• Tailgaters are responsible for cleaning their assigned area and properly disposing of their trash and other items. Failure to properly clean the area may result in loss of reservation privileges. 

  
Conduct  
Individuals attending events at Lake Forest College are expected to conduct themselves in a manner respectful of the nature and character of the college. Persons acting in a disruptive, disrespectful, or disorderly manner may be asked to leave the premises or be subject to arrest. An individual may also be denied access to the athletic facilities should they act in a manner deemed inappropriate by Lake Forest College. 
 
Special Events (Alumni Day, Senior Day, etc.)
To reserve space for a special event, contact your sport’s head coach.
 
Time & Location
Recognized athletics programs and the F.A.N. Club may request to host social gatherings in conjunction with designated Special Event Days. All gatherings must receive prior approval from the Athletic Department. Special event gatherings may only be held in approved campus locations reserved through the Athletics Department. Space requests should be submitted well in advance of the event and are subject to availability.
 
Resources
The Department of Athletics & Recreation maintains a limited inventory of shared resources for approved Special Event Day activities, including tables, chairs, grills, tablecloths, televisions, and speakers. Teams using the department television are responsible for providing their own laptop, adapters, and connection cables. All resource requests must be submitted through the head coach, who will coordinate with the Special Event Planning Team. Equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to availability.
 
Food
Parkhurst Dining is the College's preferred catering provider and must be given the first opportunity to provide food and non-alcoholic beverages. In locations where College policy requires exclusive catering services, Parkhurst must be used. If Parkhurst is unable to accommodate the event, outside food and non-alcoholic beverages may be permitted only with prior approval.
 
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are permitted only at approved special events and must be served by Parkhurst Dining or another College-approved licensed vendor. Guests may not bring their own alcoholic beverages into athletic facilities or special event spaces. All events where alcohol is served must have Athletics Department staff present to ensure compliance with College policies, state laws, and responsible service practices.
 
Pregame and Postgame Meals
To reserve space for a pregame or postgame meal, contact your sport’s head coach.
 
For athletic contests that do not include an approved tailgate or other designated special event, teams may provide pregame or postgame meals under the following guidelines:

• Pregame and postgame meals may only be held in the Sports & Recreation Center Tiernan Trophy Room or distributed in a grab-and-go format.
• Teams wishing to use the Tiernan Trophy Room must reserve the space at least 72 hours in advance by coordinating with the head coach of their respective sport.
• The head coach or a designated full-time professional staff member must be present for all postgame meals and is responsible for supervising student-athletes, ensuring the facility is left clean, and returning the space to its original condition.
• All food, beverages, decorations, and other materials must be removed immediately following the meal, and the space must be left in a clean and orderly condition.
• Failure to follow these guidelines may result in the loss of future meal privileges or facility use.