 SUBMITED PHOTOS The lady tailgaters are (from left) Angie Wells, Ashley Newsom, Crystal Stepleton, Karey Duncan and Jenny Ferguson. |  Jimmy Wells stretches out across Mike McMahon, David Stepleton, Eric Stumpf and Chris Moss in the back of the bus. |
The Sons of Tailgating’s party bus. By Nathan Pace
Online editor
A group of Southport High School alumni has developed quite the reputation on game days at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Indianapolis Colts named Sons of Tailgating the No. 1 tailgate group for the 2015 season, a title also won in 2012. The distinction was earned through a food tasting contest sponsored by Indiana corn and soybean farmers.
Colts fans have messaged the group via Facebook to share positive feedback. The tailgaters have even developed relationships with Colts fans visiting from Canada.
Sons of Tailgating purchased a bus in 2006 and has been making improvements to it ever since. Fundraisers include the selling of the group’s hot sauce and blue footballs; the proceeds have assisted with bus improvements and food and parking expenses.
The tailgaters select food that has ties to opponents, for example, having New England clam chowder when playing the Patriots. Some staple items are from the Southside as donuts from Long’s Bakery are a tradition.
If a game starts at 1 p.m., the party starts at 9 a.m., and the revelers even set up portable lighting for night games. In addition to traditional games like corn hole, new activities are launched each year. Planning starts days before game day, and the group is already talking about next season.
Ashley Newsom’s late husband, David, belonged to the group before he died in a car accident in 2010. He is still remembered through toasts when the group wins tailgate competitions.
Online editor
A group of Southport High School alumni has developed quite the reputation on game days at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Indianapolis Colts named Sons of Tailgating the No. 1 tailgate group for the 2015 season, a title also won in 2012. The distinction was earned through a food tasting contest sponsored by Indiana corn and soybean farmers.
Colts fans have messaged the group via Facebook to share positive feedback. The tailgaters have even developed relationships with Colts fans visiting from Canada.
Sons of Tailgating purchased a bus in 2006 and has been making improvements to it ever since. Fundraisers include the selling of the group’s hot sauce and blue footballs; the proceeds have assisted with bus improvements and food and parking expenses.
The tailgaters select food that has ties to opponents, for example, having New England clam chowder when playing the Patriots. Some staple items are from the Southside as donuts from Long’s Bakery are a tradition.
If a game starts at 1 p.m., the party starts at 9 a.m., and the revelers even set up portable lighting for night games. In addition to traditional games like corn hole, new activities are launched each year. Planning starts days before game day, and the group is already talking about next season.
Ashley Newsom’s late husband, David, belonged to the group before he died in a car accident in 2010. He is still remembered through toasts when the group wins tailgate competitions.
 |  Channel 8 interviewing David Stepleton |
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