Aside from Williams-Brice Stadium — a populated scene for a Saturday in South Carolina — a family's tailgate has become a spot that many fans visit each football game day. What started as sharing tailgate leftovers with a group of hungry students transformed into a destination for University of South Carolina students and fans.
Chris and Dominique Crawford began this tradition in 2014 when the couple set up their personal tailgate by the railroad tracks. As they were preparing to leave for the stadium, a group of students approached the two, drawn in by the smell.
“And these kids came by, and they were like, 'Oh, y'all's food smells so good' ... And then I told the dude, I said, 'Listen ... we're about throw all this food away, get all your friends and come eat it,’” Chris Crawford said.
That gesture along with the students’ gratitude sparked an idea: The next game day, they would come prepared with more free hot dogs to give to more hungry students.
Now, a decade later, the Crawfords come prepared with 1,024 hot dogs for every home game — and they run out every time.
Chris and Dominique are joined by their family and friends in the tent at their tailgate, where they have developed a system that allows them to grill, hand out food and watch ongoing college games, all while building friendships with students.
The Crawfords’ connection to the school is tied to their children, who attended and graduated from USC.
Throughout the years, the Crawfords have found more satisfaction staying at their tailgate, rather than packing up early to head into the stadium.
"I think we enjoy it just more sitting here watching it and just watching the kids," Dominique Crawford said.
The Crawfords said attendees of the tailgate participate in a booming “Gamecock” chant the couple leads. And when the tailgate isn’t yet in full swing, the couple is texting students that regularly attend their tailgate, reminding them to come and join the scene.
Many students have come back with appreciation for the free food, gifting the Crawfords sorority and fraternity buttons that Chris Crawford said he proudly wears on his apron every game.
This sense of community and connection is at the heart of what keeps students coming back, Chris Crawford said.
"We got kids who bring their parents here on Parents Day and they're like, 'Mom, Dad, this guy's been saving our life for every home game," Chris Crawford said.
While football games are exciting, factors such as heat, humidity and excessive alcohol can pose dangers to students, Dominique Crawford said.
“There’s some drinking going on, and we know that,” Dominique Crawford said. “So a lot of these kids know that we’re here, so it’s almost a safety blanket for them.”
The couple has stepped in to combat these issues in a variety of ways — from calling rides for students too drunk to get home, to offering them a place to sit and drink water, or calling police when necessary.
For the Crawfords, they are not there to make money, but instead to make students feel like they have somewhere to go.
“If you was to sit here and just watch these kids when they walk up and see the smile on their face, that's payment enough right there,” Chris Crawford said.
Chris Crawford serves free hotdogs to University of South Carolina students in his tailgate spot outside of Williams-Brice Stadium. Crawford has been serving hot dogs at each South Carolina home game since 2014.
However, running a tailgate every home game for hundreds of students comes with its challenges.
Chris and Dominique Crawford began to run into difficulties with grocery stores not having all the supplies they would need to accommodate the growing numbers. When they first began, they would visit multiple stores, scouring for enough hot dogs and buns to feed the growing crowd.
“We'd go to Walmart and get all the buns they had and all the hotdogs,” Chris Crawford said. "And we'd go to another store, go to another store. We'd go to four or five stores to get enough."
Eventually, Chris and Dominique Crawford got in touch with a food supplier where they could now have their supplies pre-ordered two weeks in advance, making the process operate more smoothly.
Because the tailgate has become so beloved and popular, many people have taken interest in helping with basic logistics.
A nearby warehouse now stores their grill in a nearby storage space, saving room in the Crawford's truck. Companies have also reached out to the couple, wanting to sponsor their tailgate.
Still, even with all the help accumulated, the Crawfords still face their most consistent problem: running out of food.
“We run out every time, and we have to turn kids away,” Chris Crawford said.
The two continue to search for ways to solve this issue.
Despite any setbacks the Crawfords have faced, their tailgate has only continued to grow due to their dedication and spirits.
"That's the whole goal. Take care of the kids," Chris Crawford said.
Chris and Dominique Crawford's tailgate has only grown with the support of fellow Gamecocks, and they plan on continuing this tailgate for future South Carolina football games.