Univ. of Texas officials have "entered into a partnership" with Auburn-based Tailgate Guys, a company that "provides pop-up tents, tables, chairs and just about anything else you can imagine for a ready-made tailgate party," according to Brian Davis of the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. UT fans beginning this fall can "reserve various sized spots near the LBJ Library," and school officials starting next week will "grant sign-up access based on fans’ loyalty points standing with the Longhorn Foundation." UT Senior Associate AD & CRO Steve Hank said, "Everybody talks about The Grove at Ole Miss. We want to have that same type of environment here at Texas. Except bigger." Davis reported the school receives 39% "of the net revenue generated by Tailgate Guys." Tailgate Guys President & CEO Parker Duffy said that the UT arrangement is a "huge difference from previous contracts," as every other school "takes a percentage of gross profits." Auburn is now the company’s "signature site as the first people to sign up have tents just outside Jordan-Hare Stadium." The company has "since added Texas A&M, Florida, Georgia Tech and the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta." UT men's AD Steve Patterson said that fans will "be able to drive up to a designated delivery spot, unload their tailgating supplies to a valet and go park." Everything "will be in order" by the time they "arrive at their tent." Davis noted fans can buy tailgating spots "for the entire season or single games, which is attractive to the corporate crowd" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 6/13).
BEVO'S BULLHORN: Davis noted the UT athletic department's communications staff will undergo a "major shakeup," as the school will "begin a national search for a new Chief Communications Officer and a football sports information director." The school in a statement said that UT Associate AD/Media Relations John Bianco, who has "handled football media relations duties for more than 20 years, is leaving the department to 'pursue other interests.'" He joined the UT staff in '92 "after serving as an assistant SID at Cincinnati." Assistant AD/Media Relations Scott McConnell, who "handles men’s basketball media responsibilities, will serve as the football contact on an interim basis." The change is "yet another major personnel move Patterson has made since taking over" in November '13 (STATESMAN.com, 6/15).
