Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press columnist-turned-sappy book writer, recently wrote an article about tailgating. Because he saw one YouTube video of two inebriated women fighting at a Detroit Lions game, he is wholeheartedly against drinking in preparation for NFL and college football games.

Frankly Mitch, I wouldn’t expect you to understand the true greatness of a Football Saturday — or Sunday, if you prefer professional athletes — as an event, not just a game. You were an undergrad at Brandeis University in Massachusetts, which doesn't even field a football team, and you have spent your adult life covering sporting events, not attending them as a fan. So you have probably rarely experienced the tailgating culture.

Let me tell you — tailgating is what makes attending ballgames special. That's especially true now that television coverage has become so all-encompassing that your actual game-viewing experience is probably enhanced when you stay at home on your couch.

For instance, there’s no way Happy Valley would be nearly as fun if it weren’t for all 109,000 students and alumni convening in the rolling fields surrounding the stadium as early as 6 a.m. on game days. I’ve never seen anything like it. Students and alumni are segregated during pregame festivities at Michigan. But at Penn State, fans truly come together as one, sharing food, drink and games, including a pretty competitive dizzy bat circuit.

At Notre Dame last season, we were enjoying a round of spiked apple cider when an elderly Irish fan hobbled up to us with a plate of gourmet cheeses. It was a peace offering, and it was a pleasant interaction that would never have happened had tailgating not been involved.

I even got offered a glass of beer by an Ohio State fan in 2006 in Columbus before the Buckeye fan said, “You know, we’re not as mean as everyone says we are.”

The fun of tailgating extends past alcohol consumption — one of my favorite pregame memories was watching my grandpa try to teach a group of Florida fans "The Victors" before the 2003 Outback Bowl, even though he didn’t know it too well himself.

Tailgating is a unique experience, one that helps make the game more enjoyable and maybe even more memorable. A day spent drinking and hanging out with friends before heading off to Michigan Stadium? Sounds good to me.

But I’m sad to report to you, Mitch, that your side of this argument notched a huge victory this weekend in Ann Arbor. I remember walking to games. as a freshman and being completely overwhelmed by the maize madness spilling out of the houses on the 900 block of State St. and into front yards that had been pulverized into mudpits. There are very few people on campus who don’t know the BOX house and its status as a tailgating staple.

This Saturday didn’t feel like a Football Saturday, because Senior Assistant City Attorney Kristen Larcom sent cease and desist orders to that clump of houses. And although a few of them had a feeble group of hangers-on, the scene was completely destroyed by the order.

Marching Band, Go Blue Banner, Winged Helmets, BOX House — taking in the wildness surrounding the 900 block of State St. is a vital part of the Michigan game-day experience.

To take it away now just seems unfair. Sure, there may be a few underaged undergrads involved with some beer-related paraphernalia, but this is Ann Arbor.

It’s just disappointing to see a game-day tradition that students have taken for granted dissipate so quickly.

Honestly, I have full faith that the BOX House and its neighbors will have things kicked into full gear — at least by Nov. 21 (the date of the Ohio State game, for those of you who haven’t started counting yet).

But Football Saturdays won’t feel the same without them.

— Reid can be reached at andyreid@umich.edu