September generally means one thing to college students: the start of school.

But it also means the start of the college football season. And what would the college football season be without tailgating?

Everyone has done it. Friends join up and head out to the stadium hours before even the players make it. They fire up grills, crack open coolers and spend the time eating, drinking and getting in the requisite “practice” before heading into the stands for the game of the day.

No matter what school is playing, be it Sacramento State, with its small but strong base of fans, to the University of Nebraska, with its unofficial tailgating “team,” to Harvard, with its intellectually oriented tailgates, the general rules for a good tailgate remain the same.

“Beer, hot dogs and a foam finger,” said Sac State junior Chris Parmlee, a physics major and tailgating fanatic, when asked about what made a tailgate party work properly.

It’s a simple equation, really. It starts with the meat. Hotdogs, hamburgers, and sausages are the most popular choices, but chicken and fish are definitely other good choices.

“My favorite would be Italian sausage on buns with some fried onions and peppers,” said Lou Camera, the director of the Student Affairs Division.

Next, add drinks.

“Beer,” said Robert Williams, a junior business major.

A staple of many tailgates is beer. However, caution must be taken to prevent over-consumption.

The final variable is the entertainment. Frisbees, footballs, and music are always popular choices. Whether breaking out one’s CD collection or hiring a DJ or live band, music can make a tailgate party an experience to remember.

In the past, local radio stations, such as 103.5 The Bomb, KWOD 106.5, and 98 Rock, have been asked to provide entertainment at Sac State events like the Causeway tailgate and Midday Madness last year.

Here on Sac State’s campus, Student Affairs, in conjunction with the athletics department and the campus police department, a section of the parking lot next to Hornet Stadium is roped off to allow groups to tailgate. In general, anyone can tailgate, from current student groups to alumni, and even to corporate groups looking for a unique event.

However, certain rules must be followed on campus. Tailgating can begin up to two hours before the game and must end approximately 15 minutes before kickoff, according to Camera. Kegs are not allowed in the tailgating area, by law, no underage drinking is allowed.

The biggest tailgate of the year occurs at the annual Causeway Classic. In the past, the game has been one of the biggest draws for Hornets’ football and the attraction of such a premier game in the region is a great reason for a tailgate party.

This year’s game will be played at Toomey Field in Davis and no tailgating will be sanctioned on the Sac State campus.

In the end, the most important part of tailgating is just to have fun with friends and to help support your favorite football team.

“The whole idea is that you are here for the football game, you come in, enjoy that, and really make it a fun time. It’s a great opportunity for friends to get together, alumni to come back, meet with some of the people who are in some of the current organizations, parents, families, and as much as I hate to say it, the opposing team,” Camera said.