The winner of the annual rivalry matchup between Northern Arizona and Southern Utah takes home the Grand Canyon Trophy. The two Big Sky Conference rivals first met in 1982, and they have played every year since 2008. Don’t miss it when the Lumberjacks square off with the Thunderbirds as there is always a lot on the line.

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

Tailgating is a great way to spend some time before a Lumberjacks game and is especially popular among students at NAU. Whether you’re a student, alumni, or just a fan, you’ll want to get to the Walkup Skydome early to take part in the pregame festivities.

The students at NAU like to party hard, and it’s no different when it comes to tailgating. If you’re a student, you’ll want to come prepared to let loose as everyone treats tailgating like one big party where everyone is invited.

NAU tailgates also feature a lot of alumni and other older fans grilling out and drinking a few beers, so if you’re looking for a more relaxed tailgate atmosphere, you’ll find that here at NAU as well. Everywhere you look, you’ll see Lumberjacks fans tailgating and having fun creating a festive atmosphere outside the Walkup Skydome.

Finally, make sure to enjoy the spirit group performances that take place throughout the tailgate. These performances are the perfect way to get into the game day spirit and are a must-see for any college football fan.

A Lumberjacks tailgate offers something for everyone and is a great way to get into the game day spirit, so arrive early and take part in the pregame action.

Traditions

Pregame Spirit Group Performances

Be on alert for the spirit group performances that take place during the tailgate. The spirit group performances will get you in the Lumberjacks game day spirit making them a fun part of tailgating at NAU.

Where to tailgate

Single Game Tailgate Spots

If you don’t have a season tailgate pass, then make sure to reserve your single game tailgate spot early. The single game tailgate spots go quickly, so don’t wait or you’ll miss out.

Student Tailgating

If you’re a student at NAU, then the student tailgating area is just the spot for you. The student tailgating area is located in Upper Pine Ridge Lot and is a great place to meet fellow students and learn more about various student organizations.

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks Stadium Guide

In Game

The Walkup Skydome is one of only a handful of domed stadiums in the FCS giving an NAU football game a unique atmosphere. The dome traps in all the noise made by the crowd creating an intense atmosphere that is among the best in the FCS.

The crowd at NAU creates a lot of noise, although no group creates more noise than the NAU Lumberyard. The NAU Lumberyard is located near midfield and is lead by the Chain Gang, who go all out to rile up the crowd and create an intense atmosphere. If you want to be at the heart of the action, then make sure to get a seat near the NAU Lumberyard in the west stand.

In addition to a noisy crowd, NAU is also home to several excellent spirit groups. The Lumberjack Marching Band puts on a great show and keeps the tempo high throughout the game with their in-game music. The NAU mascot Louie the Lumberjack and the cheer and dance teams are also a big part of the pageantry at the game as well. Keep an eye out for all three of these groups as you wouldn’t want to miss their performances throughout the game.

An NAU football game is a great road trip destination for any FCS football fan, so plan your trip to Flagstaff today.

Things to check out

Chain Gang Pregame Ax

Before each game, one member of the Chain Gang puts an ax into a stump at midfield. The act signifies the start of the game and starts the pregame intros. Everyone gets worked up into a frenzy during the ceremony, so get loud when you see a member of the Chain Gang take the field.

Lumberjack Marching Band

The Lumberjack Marching Band puts on quite the show at NAU football games, so don’t leave your seat when you see them take the field. Both the pregame and halftime shows are must-sees making them some of the best parts of any NAU game.

Louie the Lumberjack

Louie the Lumberjacks energizes the crowd with his antics throughout the game. No routine of his is more popular than the pushups he performs after every Lumberjacks score, so help Louie count his pushups after every NAU score.

NAU Lumberyard

The NAU Lumberyard creates a lot of the atmosphere inside the Walkup Skydome and is home to the loudest and wildest fans on game days. The student section here is located near midfield giving the Lumberjacks an incredible home field advantage.

Cheer and Dance Teams

The cheer and dance teams at NAU are both significant parts of the pageantry on display at Lumberjacks football games. Both groups perform incredible routines you won’t want to miss, and there is no better way to pump up the Lumberjacks than by joining in the cheerleaders' cheers and chants.

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