It’s July. And July means that this is the last month without football until next year.
So, in celebration of this fact, here are 18 redass reasons I’m glad Aggie football is almost back:
1. The campus excitement
The buzz on campus is undeniable, week in and week out. On Fridays, some professors just give up, because no one is really paying attention to lecture the week we play Alabama.
2. It gives you something to look forward to every week
Come ON, Saturday. As much as we’re complaining that this week’s home game is at 11 a.m., we really just can’t wait to see it unfold, which is why we’re getting drunk at 8:30 a.m.
3. Tailgating
The food that is consumed in celebration of knocking helmets is uncanny. BYOB, because I guarantee you we don’t have enough for you. Get drunk on your own dime, and if we win, you might just look like Ron Swanson.
4. Midnight yell
“Why are we yelling about farmers? I thought we were the Aggies! And are those boy cheerleaders?” We all asked questions like these freshman year, but you learn not to question it and simply enjoy the crazy fun.
5. Dates to those midnight yells
Most boot chasers are dying for the chance to be asked to midnight yell by a cadet in the corps, but you can go with anyone you want to, including fish camps and literally all Greeks. Just make sure you bring your lighter and your breath spray.
6. The Aggie Band
The Pulse of Aggieland makes anyone else’s halftime look like the rehearsal for the Bubble Bowl. We are proud of our marching band. The whole stadium can be heard oohing and ahhing at the straight lines, sharp turns, and incredibly impossible 4-way cross. You better stay till they run off the field. Gumby’s will still be at the concession stand when they finish.
7. The hullabaloo clicks
BUM-BUM-BUM-BUM, BUM-BUM, BUM-BUM, WHOOP!
8. Whooping
We celebrate for literally anything good with a big ole whoop. I need this back in my life. Doing it in public in the summer feels a little odd.
9. Pulling
Depending on your class year, you are told by the ticket office when you can pull tickets. Groups of people wanting to sit together are seen almost every night of the week in lawn chairs with pillows and blankets, anxiously awaiting a chance at 1st deck, 1st row seats. It can last a while, but friends make it worth the wait.
10. Ring dunks during football season
If you’re like me, you’ll be getting your Aggie Ring on September 22 (WHOOP!) Ring Day in the fall is so redass, because you can go to a game the next day with your brand new gold. Look out, Arkansas, I’m coming for you!
11. Waving your towels
As a method of distraction for the opposing team and motivation for our Ags, we wave white towels as we yell. This is not in surrender. Ags are relentless, and seeing the whole stadium wave their towels with you creates a winning camaraderie that can’t be shaken.
12. Singing "Power" at the top of your lungs
Ah-ah… AYYYYE.
13. Riffity-raffing and bad refs
Riffity riffity riff raff, chiffity chiffity chiff chaff, riff raff, chiff chaff, let’s give ‘em a horse laugh! #blind
14. Hissing
Ags don’t boo, because that is unsportsmanlike conduct. Instead, we hiss. Ags are nothing without our outstanding class.
15. The Saban Signs (that turned into signs for every game)
I’m talking about the bed sheets with jokes about Nick Saban’s daughter and Harambe the gorilla hanging from the second floor of College Station townhomes. I can’t wait till they come back so I can drive around town and pick my favorites.
16. Away game watch parties
Sometimes, you just don’t want to drive to Mississippi. Luckily, none of your friends do, either. This is prime time for a watch party with whoever has the biggest TV and the most food. Sit back in the AC and enjoy the commercials.
17. We have the loudest and proudest student section
If the UCLA game last season was no indication, we are deafening, and we can prove it. 50,000? Try again.
18. Saw 'em off
You hug strangers and sway with them. It sounds a little invasive, but it’s the Aggie way. As Granger once said, “Wrap your arms around each other, and sing Hullabaloo.”
If these reasons don’t get you excited for Aggie football, I don’t know what will. See ya in Kyle.
