80s Old School Named ETSU Tailgater of the Game

The dedicated tailgating group earned top honors following a rainy setup at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Football

Expressive editorial sports illustration of fans in rain gear setting up a tailgate tent in a misty stadium parking lot. — The tailgating group 80s Old School received the Week 5 Tailgater of the Game award at East Tennessee State University following the Rail Rivalry victory. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The group 80s Old School won the Week 5 ETSU Tailgater of the Game award after preparing for the festivities on a rainy Friday night. Their win coincided with an ETSU victory in the Rail Rivalry Battle.

Why it matters

The recognition highlights the active fan culture surrounding local college football in Johnson City. This specific weekend was marked by high enthusiasm despite challenging weather conditions for those attending the game.

ETSU secured a 14-3 victory, successfully ending a six-game losing streak against UTC. Tailgating activities officially commenced at 6 a.m. on Saturday morning.

The players

80s Old School

This is a dedicated tailgating group that earned the Week 5 title at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium.

East Tennessee State University

This public university fields the football team that participated in the Rail Rivalry Battle.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

This institution is the longtime football rival of ETSU in the Rail Rivalry Battle.

The details

The 80s Old School group secured the title by arriving at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium on Friday night to establish their site despite the rain. Their efforts were part of a broader atmosphere of celebration leading up to the Rail Rivalry Battle against the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The winning group began their site preparations on Friday night.
Tailgating activities officially started at 6 a.m. on Saturday.
The award was granted during Week 5 of the season.

Season Trajectory

This win fundamentally alters the competitive narrative of the season for the ETSU football program by ending the long-standing Rail Rivalry losing streak. It shifts the team's momentum and provides a significant boost to the morale of both players and the local community.

The victory brings a crucial win to the team's conference standings after a long period of struggle against UTC. Fans can look forward to a more optimistic outlook for the remainder of the season following this breakthrough performance.

The takeaway

Dedicated fan groups can help sustain energy and morale even when weather conditions are poor. This weekend demonstrated how local community engagement remains a vital part of the broader collegiate sports experience.