5 Tips for Freshmen on Dawg Saturday

Oh, the college game day. A time honored tradition where college students rally together to celebrate a day of victory and comradery. For a first-year student, these Saturdays may seem somewhat daunting. Fear not, for I have a few tips that might help make these football game days a little less overwhelming.

1. The Early Bird Gets the Worm

The idea of waking up at 7 a.m. when kick off is at noon may seem somewhat strange, but trust me, the sleep deprivation is worth it. Some of my favorite game day memories actually took place before the game even started. “But Maggie, what can I do so early in the morning and for five whole hours?” Well reader, I’m glad you asked. From family tailgates to fraternity pre-functions, the array of pre-game events is almost endless. Your time will be so occupied with games of beer pong and touch football that the hours will fly by. Not to mention the one or two hot dogs you will be mooching off the friendly alumni at a random tailgate; there is nothing like free food to help pass the time. Believe me when I say, no time is enough time to celebrate being at the best school in the world.

2. The Most Important Meal of the Day

If you are like me, eating really early in the morning can be hard. But believe me; you will definitely regret skipping breakfast. The day is WAY longer than you expect and by the time lunch comes around you will definitely be hungry. Let’s face it, nobody wants to go to a football game with someone suffering from major hangry episodes (“seriously dude, eat a Snickers”). For those out there who choose to participate in the traditional game day binge drinking, breakfast is definitely a must. After about four rounds of flip cup and two games of beer pong, you will be regretting turning down that bagel.

3. Just Say No

For those of you who choose to live above the influence, there are a lot of the pre-game traditions that can be done without the need to consume alcohol. Some of the most iconic drinking games can actually be played completely sober. Beer pong, the king of all drinking games, is often played with water instead of beer. Some say it’s because college students can’t afford those quantities needed for larger groups. Personally, I think people just get tired of having to drink cheap beer, or “pi** water” which it is so commonly referred to. For games like rage cage and survivor, you always have the option to opt out of the drinking aspect. Often times your friends, or even the stranger next to you, are more than happy to drink for you (more for them amiright?)If you just want to blend into the crowd of drunken adolescents, simply holding a red solo cup in your hand will prevent second looks.

4. Fanny Packs Acceptable

Every game day is different, but rain or shine us die hard Husky fans will be in that Dawg Pack come kick off. For this reason, it is important to always be prepared to brave the elements. There is an accessory I find to be both stylish and practical and that beautiful piece of fabric is called the fanny pack. The perfect sized bag to hold everything you need while giving you the mobility of free hands and a non-restricted back. If you think you are just “too cool” for fanny packs, then the boring run of the mill backpack or drawstring bag will suffice. Eventually, the day will come when we will need to bust out our rain coats and endure the classic Seattle down pour. Until then, the first few games of the season will be scorchers, so stuff those packs with water bottles. Dehydration is real and you don’t want to be the person to faint and take out every person in your row on the bleachers (trust me I’ve seen it happen). To my fair skinned friends, sun screen is a must. For the more spirited of us, beware the face stickers and tattoos. You don’t know embarrassment until you are walking to class with a sunburnt face and a giant white W or paw on your cheek.

5. Garlic Fries

College is a beautiful thing. It is a place that will introduce you to amazing things like art, history, poetry, love and so many other amazing things. For me, one of my favorite things this beautiful college has introduced me to is the Husky Stadium garlic fries. There is nothing quite like the taste of delicious garlic fries while you are surrounded by friends, watching your team conquer their opponents. I am not the only one to feel this way which is evident by the unsurmountable lines that often form outside the food kiosks. All I have to say about that is that it is worth the wait. “But Maggie, I’m surrounded by people. Won’t my breath smell bad?” That’s another point well-made reader. At this point in the games, the dawg pack will have such an overwhelming smell of BO and beer that no one will even notice the garlic on your breath. So don’t forget to pack a couple bucks in a fanny pack because you do not want to miss out on this Husky football tradition.