UPDATE: State Bans Alcohol From Tailgating At MetLife Stadium During State Championships

Planning on heading to the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Panthers versus Westfield High School Blue Devils Championship game on Saturday, Dec. 3? Don't plan on bringing alcohol to a tailgate.

The state's governing body on high school athletics has clarified its policy regarding tailgating at MetLife Stadium while high school football state championship games are played.

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, known as the NJSIAA, warned fans Monday that alcohol may not be consumed while tailgating at MetLife Stadium. All games are alcohol- and drug-free events. The association originally just said that all tailgating was banned from the stadium but then further clarified the point Tuesday.

“When you attend an NFL or Big Ten football game, for example, the entire environment is dedicated to fan entertainment,” Timko said. “But high school sports are different — even a state championship football game contested at MetLife Stadium is an extension of the classroom. And you don’t allow alcohol, drugs or tailgating at school.”

The NJSIAA's rules regarding fan behavior are different of those governing professional and collegiate sports where tailgating is allowed and alcohol is sold at events. The difference, Timko notes, isn’t just the age of the athletes who are competing.

“We want all our fans, many of whom are minors, to have an enjoyable experience while attending scholastic sports competitions,” said Steve Timko, the NJSIAA’s executive director. “And that’s why we instituted specific rules that don’t allow certain activities and behaviors. All of our member schools are in agreement that we will not tolerate a few individuals enjoying themselves at the expense of everyone else.”

— By Daniel Hubbard (Patch Staff)

Photo: MetLife Stadium — Used with permission via Wikimedia Commons