Tales From The Tailgate: Ron Winson
Matt Gilpin, Maryland Athletics Staff Writer
9/4/2021
For University of Maryland class of 1990 graduate Ron Winson, Terps football just means more.
In 1974, a seven-year-old Ron came to a Maryland game, and little did the elder Winson know that he was creating a defining piece of his young son’s life.
For nearly 50 years, Ron has been attending Maryland football games and enjoying all the fun and atmosphere that comes with game day.
“I love Maryland and Maryland football with all my heart,” Winson said. “From the games, to the tailgates to the random people that you meet that become your best friends just because of the shirt they’re wearing. I love it all.”
Decked out in his Maryland football shirt, flag shorts, and matching M socks, Winson wears his Maryland pride on his sleeve and isn’t afraid to let any and everybody know about it, whether they are friends or foes.
One of those people who constantly hears and sees Ron’s passion is his wife, Susan. Not quite as fanatical as her husband, Susan embraces her husband’s Terps love and joins him when she can.
“I love how much he loves it,” Susan said. “He’s like a big kid wearing those shorts and whenever he’s walking around the campus. It’s like he’s still a little kid every time he comes back here.”
I love Maryland and Maryland football with all my heart. From the games, to the tailgates to the random people that you meet that become your best friends just because of the shirt they’re wearing. I love it all.Ron Winson
Packed up and ready to go bright and early in the morning, Winson will make his way to Maryland stadium for every home game to get ready for the tailgates as soon as they’ll let him into his lot.
You’ll find Ron and his crew right outside of Ludwig Field with all the food and good vibes that any good tailgate requires. But Ron has something more special to his setup, something more unique and personal.
“We have a great setup but our biggest thing has got to be our shot board,” Winson said. “It has six holes carved out of it and that’s how we start off every tailgate.”
Winson has been tailgating at Maryland games with his shot board for so long that he’s done shots with all sorts of people who walk by, like former Maryland athletes, former Maryland coaches, and even former men’s basketball coach Gary Williams.
“The thing is though, you can’t just take a shot,” Winson said. “After you take the shot you have to sign the back of the board. And we all have sorts of names on there from people who’ve walked by and wanted to do a shot.”
Ron isn’t just limited to games in College Park as he has made several road trips during his time as a Maryland and one of the most notable games came against heated rival West Virginia.
When it was official Maryland was playing West Virginia in the 2004 Gator Bowl, Winson knew he had to take advantage of not only going to Florida in the wintertime but to see his team play their border rival.
After mistakenly parking in a West Virginia fans lot and hearing it from the Mountaineer faithful for hours before kickoff, it was Winson and the Terps who got the last laugh.
Maryland dominated the game from start to finish, and Winson couldn’t help but return the favor and gloat at West Virginia fans.
“They were a rowdy bunch but they got real quiet when the game started,” Winson said. “Leaving that stadium and talking back to their fans is some of the most fun I’ve had.”
I’m the biggest Maryland fan at this school. It all came from my dad but I’ve embraced it too. I’ll definitely be at my dad’s tailgates this year and that’ll be really special as we then go in to watch the game.”Matthew Winson
Winson’s fandom has evolved over the years. His passion has grown even more as his son, Matthew, is now a student at the University of Maryland.
Like his father, Matthew is a die-hard Maryland fan and will cheer on the team whether they win or lose and be there to support them no matter what.
“I’m the biggest Maryland fan at this school,” Matthew said. “It all came from my dad but I’ve embraced it too. I’ll definitely be at my dad’s tailgates this year and that’ll be really special as we then go in to watch the game.”
For Ron, he’s now getting to experience everything that he’s ever wanted.
Ron is getting to have a good time with his friends, watching football, and hanging out at their tailgate, but more importantly, he is creating memories and an unbreakable bond with his son.
“I know how special it was for me to go to Maryland games with my dad and I see that in him too,” Ron said. “To share this love I have with him, with the people I love, it’s just incredible. Maryland football has given that to my family and I couldn’t be happier about it.”
