This semester, Southeast Missouri State University students may begin to recognize an increase in school spirit. With encouragement from Southeast’s Student Government Association, tailgating at all football home games and two volleyball and soccer games, fall sports home games attendance has risen.

According to Liberal Arts senator Karma Alvey, SGA began the initiative last year when the student issues chair, Andrea Cox, noticed low fan attendance at home games.

“The student issues chair proposed an idea to reimburse student organizations for food if they tailgate at home football games,” Alvey said.

Alvey said all student organizations have to do is turn in their receipts to SGA and they will reimburse the organization up to $200.

“It is free publicity for the organization to come out and tailgate, it also draws people to games,” Alvey said.

Since the initiative began, fan attendance has picked up noticeably, according to Alvey.

Since last year was a success with tailgating, SGA decided to open up tailgating to both volleyball and soccer games as well. Organizations can tailgate at any of these games and be reimbursed for food as well.

Along with SGA members, students have begun to notice an increase in fan attendance.

According to student who attends most home games Kalvin Johnson, fan attendance has increased since last year.

“All the home football games have had high fan attendance in at least the first quarter,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he enjoys seeing student organizations tailgating at the games and drawing people into the games and seeing both students and non-students come together for a common cause.

According to Southeast Soccer team’s Twitter account, soccer had a record-breaking fan attendance crowd on Aug. 21 with 1,137 fans.

Johnson said it is a challenge to keep people for the duration once they arrive at the game.

“Sometimes the music they play in the stadium does not get people excited about the game,” Johnson said.

Johnson said if they played more recently released music it would help lift up the fans. He also suggested having themed games such as whiteout or blackout games where fans are encouraged to wear certain colors.

The next home Football game will be Oct 21 at 1pm.