All Fired Up Before Faceoff

Photos by Scot Young

Upbeat jazz tunes and the buzz of conversation filled the air as barbeque smoke drifted across a parking lot behind Gates Field House. Students were gathered not just for one of the most anticipated hockey games of the season, but for the start of a new tradition: the Gold Pan Showdown Tailgate. 

From the moment students stepped into the event, there was a palpable sense of community. Fraternity and sorority booths were lined up side by side, with students grilling hot dogs, hamburgers, and carne asada next to a face glitter and hair tinsel station. Nearby, student organizations were setting up cornhole and Jenga, handing out free cookies, and offering treats to those who correctly answered DU-themed trivia questions. 

It was hard not to be swept up in school and team spirit in this parking lot transformed by the vibrant energy of students. Hosted by the DU Programming Board, the tailgate was designed specifically for students ahead of a much-anticipated game that draws hockey fans from across Denver and Colorado—and made history as the highest attended game ever in Magness Arena. 

Surveying the scene, Morgan Christman, a fourth-year student majoring in psychology and criminology, said it best: “I feel hyped up, and it’s nice to have an opportunity to reconnect with the people that make this school so awesome.” 

Next door, just inside Hamilton Gymnasium, there was more fun to be found. Students gathered around a mechanical bull, daring one another to climb on for the chance at sweet, sweet bragging rights. Michaela Gohman was one of the brave students who gave it a try. 

A third-year student studying international relations with a minor in psychology, Gohman said she initially came to the tailgate because her roommate was interested, but she stayed for the activities and connections. “I really like this glitter that everyone has on, the hot dogs, and the music—and it seems like everyone is talking and just catching up with old friends,” she said. 

Right next to the mechanical bull, even more goodies were waiting. Old-school arcade games sat alongside a generous spread of buffalo wings, chips in every flavor imaginable, pretzel bites with nacho cheese, and ice-cold sodas, completing the tailgate experience and adding to the positive vibes. 

Those vibes were echoed by Noura Ali Abid, Undergraduate Student Government vice president and a third-year student majoring in international business and Japanese. Like many of the students there, she hopes this will be a recurring event. “I think we have a lot of different ways to have fun on campus, but this is just a specific way to get a lot of energy into one place,” she said. “Absolutely, I'd hope to see this become a tradition on campus.” 

Owen Mantelli, Undergraduate Student Government president pro-tempore and a third-year student studying political science, shares that vision. “I would love to see something like this for every game,” he said. 

Heard directly from students, it seems like the Gold Pan Tailgate could be here to stay—and next year, it may be even bigger and better. Want a closer look? Keep scrolling for more highlights.