Gowens Family Pavilion questions

Cajun Cat

Cajun Cat

Active member
So I see that as a Recent Grad I can get 50% off Bobcat Club memberships (https://txstatebobcatclub.com/sb_output.aspx?form=6). I was thinking about doing the Silver Level, particularly because for $300 bucks it would get me and the missus into the Gowens Family Pavilion (https://txstatebobcats.com/sports/2014/10/10/GEN_1010141225.aspx) every game, where there is supposedly provided food and (adult) beverages.
While I would obviously feel good about supporting the universities athletics through a membership, I would like y’alls input on the game day experience at the Pavilion.
Side note: I have three boys (9,7, and 5)—when I spoke to Bobcat Club rep on the phone he told me they generally have tickets they will give to kids 12 & under (though the boys will prob prefer heading to he Kid Zone anyways.)
So my questions for any of y’all who have experienced the pavilion are:
—Is the atmosphere legit, or is it better just traditional tailgating? I know that’s a loaded question because some folks love doing there own thing—but I’m not equipped to run my own tailgate this season.
—Food good? And it so busy in there you are lucky to get one drink order before kickoff?
—How would the rumored Beer Garden compare/factor in?
—Is it true about the kiddos being let in?
Any other advice is appreciated. TIA
 
JustinS09

JustinS09

Administrator
Staff member
Don't have kids, so I can't speak to how that works.

We've had pavilion tickets for the past few years. In the past they cater food from local places. They are apparently changing things up though. They're going to serve hot dogs and hamburgers instead.

The bar is a cash bar. It's never too crowded. Free water and soft drinks provided outside. I usually like getting in the ac between our tailgate and going to our seats to cool off before the game.

Last thing, the beer garden will likely not be implemented by the beginning of the season. Last I heard was that it may be homecoming before they work out the logistics. It will be located on the opposite side of the end zone complex from the pavilion. Not sure if they will have a connection to get from one to the other though.

I definitely think it's worth it.
 
JustinS09

JustinS09

Administrator
Staff member
Lol yup. I can't remember how the prices were, but I want to say the beer was cheaper than in the stadium.
 
C

carmanjello325

Active member
Cajun Cat said:
Ahh, thanks for clarifying. Both the email I received and the Bobcat Club phone rep made it sound like an open bar. I was thinking that was way too good to be true/we’d get our $300 worth the first game :p
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If you don't mind roughing it with the regular folk, Alumni association tent puts on free open bar every home game.
 
X

_x_

M&G Gift Contributor
I think those alumni association tailgates are like $20 to get in then open bar. I have some folks in my tailgate group that love the AA tailgate, but its a little dull for me frankly. The open bar is nice, but its mostly just folks sitting around.

Pavilion is OK. I have tickets but rarely use them. Not sure I've ever once eaten in there when I do use them. Bars are pretty wide open usually and you can get a drink quickly. Nice area to cool down and they have some TVs on with earlier than games than ours playing usually. Usually pretty crowded in there.
 
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carmanjello325

Active member
I think in prior seasons they wanted you to be a member in order to gain access to the tent but I think the 3-9, 2-10, 2-10 and 3-9 records may have thrown that out the door last season because I even asked if I needed to be a "current" member at the sign in desk (offered to pay my entry) and they said it was free and anyone is welcome but they would obviously accept donations.

Seemed like they may have gone to Kent Black BBQ, nonetheless, I find it difficult to turn down free Karbach/St Arnold products
 
A

ABobcatFan

Member
Yeah, alumni tailgate has made it really easy for me to give up tailgating after they shut down the hours so much.

I think it is free for alumni association members and 10 bucks for nonmembers. Either way, it's a great value with free food and free alcoholic drinks (though typically a very limited selection.)

Also, there are always a couple of kids running around. I like running into old friends and randomly meeting other Bobcats. I highly suggest it.
 
TXSTGrad03

TXSTGrad03

Member
ABobcatFan said:
Yeah, alumni tailgate has made it really easy for me to give up tailgating after they shut down the hours so much.

I think it is free for alumni association members and 10 bucks for nonmembers. Either way, it's a great value with free food and free alcoholic drinks (though typically a very limited selection.)

Also, there are always a couple of kids running around. I like running into old friends and randomly meeting other Bobcats. I highly suggest it.
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In the past it’s been free to non members if you preregistered before the weekend. I think it’s a 48 hr advanced notice for preregistration and you register on the Alumni Association website. Day of it’s a $10 cover. I noticed last year that drinks ran out pretty fast compared to years prior. Still a great no hassle way of getting in a good tailgate experience.
 
Voltronjacko

Voltronjacko

Active member
First off, I want to preface my commentary with the fact that we host a tailgate and if we make the Pavilion, it's usually only a few minutes before kick off on our way to our seats.

Pavilion:
- cramped with the layout
- bathroom lines can be crazy at times
- food is ok if you get it fresh and it hasn't been sitting out for awhile
- As Justin said, great to cool off before heading to your seats

AA tent:
- like 03 said, free if you pre-register
- I think $10/head at the door if you don't
- free food and booze

Kids' tickets:
- I'd highly recommend getting all of your boys enrolled in the Bobcat Kids Club. $35/year, but gets them a football season ticket and free entry to every other bobcat sporting event. I've had my girls enrolled since they were eligible and it has saved us a lot of money. Plus, they get a birthday card from Boko and a t-shirt.

However, you need to come tailgate with us beforehand. We have a decent size group currently set up in the large tailgating lot. Look for the converted military trailer (her name is S.C.O.U.T. - Self Contained Outdoor Unit for Tailgating). Satellite TV, tents for shade, beer sponsorship in place, many tailgating games (i.e. corn hole, ladder golf, etc.)

Many of us have kids so it's family friendly. Plus, being a fellow Cajun, I need someone to help make jambalaya and smoked boudin when we play our Louisiana game (either ULALA or ULM depending on the year).
 
Cajun Cat

Cajun Cat

Active member
Voltronjacko said:
First off, I want to preface my commentary with the fact that we host a tailgate and if we make the Pavilion, it's usually only a few minutes before kick off on our way to our seats.

Pavilion:
- cramped with the layout
- bathroom lines can be crazy at times
- food is ok if you get it fresh and it hasn't been sitting out for awhile
- As Justin said, great to cool off before heading to your seats

AA tent:
- like 03 said, free if you pre-register
- I think $10/head at the door if you don't
- free food and booze

Kids' tickets:
- I'd highly recommend getting all of your boys enrolled in the Bobcat Kids Club. $35/year, but gets them a football season ticket and free entry to every other bobcat sporting event. I've had my girls enrolled since they were eligible and it has saved us a lot of money. Plus, they get a birthday card from Boko and a t-shirt.

However, you need to come tailgate with us beforehand. We have a decent size group currently set up in the large tailgating lot. Look for the converted military trailer (her name is S.C.O.U.T. - Self Contained Outdoor Unit for Tailgating). Satellite TV, tents for shade, beer sponsorship in place, many tailgating games (i.e. corn hole, ladder golf, etc.)

Many of us have kids so it's family friendly. Plus, being a fellow Cajun, I need someone to help make jambalaya and smoked boudin when we play our Louisiana game (either ULALA or ULM depending on the year).
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A) Thanks for the honest assessments/recaps of the AA tent and Pavilion
B) SCOUT sounds sa-weet! We'd definitely love to join y'all's crew and pitch in on dat cajun cooking.
C) Although I knew of Bobcat Kid's Club, I did not know it carried over to all sports--that would be huge savings for us for baseball season.
D) Where you from in LA? (I moved around a lot--Natchitoches, Winnfield, New Roads, Brusly/Addis.)
 
Voltronjacko

Voltronjacko

Active member
Actually, I'm not cajun by birth. I grew up around Austin, but my grandfather was born in New Orleans and we have family that we visit pretty regularly in Slidell. I love getting back to LA any chance I get. Cajuns know how to have a good time!
 
Cajun Cat

Cajun Cat

Active member
Voltronjacko said:
Actually, I'm not cajun by birth. I grew up around Austin, but my grandfather was born in New Orleans and we have family that we visit pretty regularly in Slidell. I love getting back to LA any chance I get. Cajuns know how to have a good time!
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All good--I myself am only a 1/4 Coonass by blood. There's definitely such a thing as being Cajun in mindset or lifestyle. And you are right--a big part of that is letting the good times roll, as they say.
 
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TXSTGrad03

TXSTGrad03

Member
Laissez les bon temps rouler! I married into a Cajun family and they truly let the good times roll. A couple of my wife’s cousins went to UL so we have had some good times with the TXST/UL games (even with the outcomes).

Voltron I plan on making a tailgate this year, wasn’t able to stop by last year.
 
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carmanjello325

Active member
Remind me, how is Maroon and Golden funded? And what kind of sponsorship is with Voltron for the 2019 season and what beer beverage is sponsored?
 
JustinS09

JustinS09

Administrator
Staff member
It's funded by whatever myself, Richard, and Josh are willing to spend right now.

Voltron and I have been tailgating together for several years now. We're basically just going to set up a banner or flag or two for the tailgate this year.

Voltron can probably talk more about the beer sponsor.
 
C

carmanjello325

Active member
What are the odds that SCOUT makes the trek to College Station, Mockingbird or Waco? I'll be in College Station in 6 weeks (8/31) and would be willing to help hold down the fort and contribute financially or whatever it takes to make it happen
 
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