Last Updated on 08/19/2021 by Inside Tailgating
Tom and Tim Gibbons, self-proclaimed “knuckleheads,” purchased an ambulance in 2005 to use for tailgating. And with that, the TCU Frogmobile was born. The outside, including flashing lights, is now decorated in TCU purple, with the backwards “Ambulance” in front replaced with “Fear the Frog.” The Horned Frog on the hood now holds a rose in its teeth in honor of the Frogmobile’s journey to last season’s Rose Bowl to see TCU complete their perfect season. Inside, a satellite TV system, stereo, DVD player, and MP3 player are among the Gibbonses’ additions. The storage compartments once used for emergency medical equipment work quite nicely for storing and accessing a microwave, blender (for purple “frogaritas”), stove, and tables.
The Frogmobile’s use goes beyond just TCU games. In July, the Frogmobile took part in its third wedding! The first wedding was between two TCU alums who found the Frogmobile online and Tom ended up driving them in it from their wedding reception to their hotel, much to the confusion of the hotel valets. The second wedding was Tom’s daughter’s, after which Tim drove. The most recent wedding was that of former TCU o-lineman Heath Raetz, who went to high school with Tom’s daughter. Tom and Tim also have season tickets to Texas Motor Speedway, which hosts two NASCAR races and an IRL weekend each year. The Frogmobile has also been put to use at Texas Rangers Opening Day and two Jimmy Buffet concerts.
Tom and Tim are looking forward to TCU’s move to the Big East next season. It gives them a chance to visit some new stadiums, and, surprisingly, the total driving distance to each conference foe won’t be much further than it is now. Tom’s favorite away stadium trip was to Clemson’s Death Valley in 2009, where the Clemson fans were extremely friendly and generous, even after the Horned Frogs squeaked out a come-from-behind victory. “It’s so much fun to meet people—that’s what tailgating is all about,” says Tom. “The more the merrier” at his pre-game gatherings in Fort Worth, where the Frogmobile, just like the Horned Frogs football team it supports, are hard to beat.
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