25 Years Tailgating at Texas — How to Build a Game Day Community That Lasts | Ryan Lepper

It started in 1998 with Ricky Williams's Heisman run, a guy selling bootleg t-shirts in a parking lot, and two college kids who thought: we should make a tailgate to sell our own shirts. Twenty-five years later, Hornball Tailgaters is one of the most established tailgating institutions at the University of Texas — and Ryan Lepper has the stories to prove it.Ryan joins Luke to walk through the full 25-year evolution of Hornball, how the tailgate survived and grew through COVID, what it looks like to host hundreds of guests through Tailgate Connect, and why Austin's tailgate scene is more than just the Longhorns — it's a culture.What we cover: 25 years of Hornball — the full origin story · How it started: bootleg t-shirts, Ricky Williams, and a parking lot epiphany · Growing through COVID and coming out stronger · Hosting guests from Fresno State, USC, and across the country · What makes Austin and UT's tailgate scene unique in the Big 12 · Dream tailgate guest: Alex Smith (and his wife's famous photo) · Post Malone officially invited to Hornball Tailgaters