OUR STORY
From Michael's days as a student to now, the family tradition has held strong, and we're so thankful you're a part of it. Read the timeline below!
A tailgate timeline
1990
The Tradition Begins
When Michael began at UVA, Mr. and Mrs. Lamberson (grandpa and grandma) began tailgating at the famous Stadium-view spot. With a few good UVA football years, the tailgates became a hit!
1991
Lisa Loves Tailgating
And good thing she loves Michael too!! Lisa and Michael meet during 3rd year at UVA. They enjoy their final years of school together and she enters the Lamberson tailgating scene. She learned her hospitality skills from the best - thank you grandma!!!
1990s/2000s
Tailgates Move to Tampa
When post grad took Lisa and Michael to their home in Tampa, Florida, the tailgating didn't stop. You can take the family out of the tailgate but can't take the tailgate out of the family! They began hosting tailgates for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and traveling to FSU games with our beloved Florida family. With many visits to Cville during thier time away, the Tampa time will forever be cherished!!
Early 2000s
Time to Raise Wahoos
Here comes the next generation! Lisa and Michael welcomed Luke in December of 2002 in Tampa, Florida. The distance from VA didn't stop them from raising him right. He began cheering on the Hoos for his first season alive and hasn't stopped since. And to think we acted surprised when he told us he was going to travel to all 12 UVA games during his 4th year at UVA…
2006
Back Where We Belong
When Megan enters the picture, the Lambersons have moved home to Midlothian, VA. A lot closer to Charlottesville!! They waste no time getting back to the land of UVA football, bringing Megan to her first tailgate for the first game she was alive for. September 9th, 2006 with Grandpa and the Lambersons to celebrate. Let's go hoos!!
2006-2019
The Church Lot
While we saw maybe a total 7 UVA wins over this 13 year period, our tailgates with Grandpa and The Lambersons at the church lot will always hold a special place in our heart. A true staple of our family, we loved cheering on the hoos while the kids ran around learning how to throw a football (and Luke learned how to open a beer)? We also learned that UVA sports will always break your heart. Good food, a full cooler, and cherished family are normally the only positives of a gameday. But still, we love this time of our lives!!! Grandpa's lisence plate says it all!!
2020-2024
Present Day Tailgates
When Luke shocked the world and committed to UVA in 2020, Lisa and Michael knew it was time to go all-in. Thanks to some outstanding regulars (thank you UVA class of 2024), the tailgates took their modern form. Lisa and Michael began to truly love being a place for friends and families to gather, and getting to know Luke's friends became the highlight of their years. We experienced a lot of UVA heartbreak, making the tailgates and community that much more special.
2024-present
UVA Football is Back???
When Megan makes the Lambersons 4/4 on wahoos, Michael and Lisa were blessed with 4 more years of UVA football (for better or for worse). Good thing Chandler Morris had great things in store!! We love getting to continue the tradition to what the tailgates have become now, and we couldn't be more excited for what the next years of tailgating hold. We love sharing this with everyone who visits our spot and can't wait to keep being a place to celebrate UVA football. Let's have a great final 2 years, UVA class of 2028!!
A LASTING LEGACY
The Ones Who Started it All
The tailgates wouldn't exist without the love, hospitality, dedication, and true UVA heart of Grandma and Grandpa Lamberson. We lost two UVA tailating legends, Grandma in 2002 and Grandpa in 2025. A coincidence that UVA football had its best year in recent history when both of the Lambersons were in heaven? We think not. We have Grandma and Grandpa for a few good calls and overtime wins in the 2025 season. Thank you Grandma Lucy and Grandpa Jack for making tailgating our favorite Lamberson tradition. We hope to make them proud in the way we welcome all and cheer on the Hoos together!! Wahoowa forever.
