Football season is coming: which means tailgates and darties for many, while I, along with only 419 other students, have a totally different idea of what comes with the fall semester.
Being a member of the Marching Chiefs has many perks: great responsibility to represent FSU, amazing people, and, my favorite, front row seats to all things Florida State football. While many of the FSU student population has their own expectations and excitements about the new semester, the Marching Chiefs have a very unique perspective to all of the action.
1. Preseason training.
Two weeks before classes start, Chiefs leadership reports to campus to begin preparing for preseason training. The week and a half that we spend training our new members and reviewing with our vets is intense - it's full of evaluations, auditions, and constantly go go going. One of the things that makes preseason so special are the traditions that come with sacrificing your last two weeks of summer. There is everything from full band, to section, and even "family" traditions which really sparks a very family-like feeling that lasts you the entire season and pretty much throughout college.
2. Campus Tour.
One of the many things that Chiefs does in order to bring hype and Seminole spirit to campus (literally) is campus tour. It's one of those special events that you'll only really know about if you have a friend who knows or if you're in the right place at the right time. Without giving the tradition away, just be sure to be in your dorm or looking around for about 400 or so kids with instruments running around campus and thank me later.
3. Headbands.
A very exciting thing for our rookies is receiving their headbands, which are specially made for them by vets or their section bigs. This is one of the most exciting things about being a rookie, next to putting on the Chiefs uniform for the very first time. Your headband is something that you can (and will) hold on to and treasure forever, and it's even more special knowing that it was made it just for you!
4. Taggart Time
Obviously, a big part about being in the Marching Chiefs is being there for the football team and being their number one fans through all kinds of games. With this football season coming, FSU has more eyes on us than ever, largely thanks to our new coach, Willie Taggart. When Coach Taggart stepped foot on FSU's campus for the first time, the Chiefs were the first ones to greet him with the Fight Song, Seminole Uprising, and, of course, his first War Chant. There's nothing better than going into the season knowing that we have a great lineup and an awesome new coach to cheer on.
5. The first pre-game show.
My favorite memory of Chiefs to look back on is my very first pregame performance in Doak Campbell as a rookie. This experience is one that only a small percentage (0.01% to be exact) of current FSU students will ever know. 20 minutes until kick off, Chiefs file down underneath the stands and wait for the elephant doors to open. There are some pre-pregame hype traditions and we can hear the hype video playing in the stadium and then all of the sudden the doors open and we're Chief stepping to the field. With the stadium lights shining brightly down on us and hearing upwards of 80,000 fans screaming F-L-O-R-I-D-A S-T-A-T-E, I can't help but get chills every. single. time.
6. Skull session.
Another game day tradition, which many don't know about, is performing at Mike Martin in the Dick Howser baseball stadium. About 2 hours before every game, we head from rehearsal to skull session, where every section performs a different piece, each one composed by a member in their section. It's also a very exciting time because that's where the majority of fun section traditions happen and a lot of pictures are taken. To finish up, the whole band comes together and plays some show tunes before heading to march over to the stadium.
7. Costume shows.
Throughout the season, Chiefs will perform a number of different halftime shows. One of the most exciting things for us and our fans is performing shows which we all have costumes for. In the past two years, we've dressed up for our Greece and Harry Potter shows, and this year we have more exciting shows and costumes to present! It's always fun seeing the crowd's reaction when we run out in costumes and, even more so, when they realize what the show is.
8. Playing the Hymn.
Easily the favorite tradition for most Chiefs is the Hymn to the Garnet and Gold. We play this song after every football game, win or lose, and basically every Chief will know all of the words to it quickly into their rookie season. The Hymn is not our alma mater, however, it holds a great meaning to those who know it and are able to sing it. Whether it's after the football games or when it's played proceeding each commencement ceremony, the Hymn is a song that only few, but so many more should know.
9. Prism concerts.
At the end of every fall semester, there are special concerts held in Ruby Diamond for one week. At these concerts, performances are done by all of the bands, orchestras, and choral groups, including the Marching Chiefs and each of our sections. Prism is another special event because somehow we're able to fit all of Chiefs on the stage, in between isles, and surrounding the audience for an epic performance to close out each night.
10. Bowl games.
As I previously mentioned, Marching Chiefs are supporting the football team however they're doing in the season, wherever they go, and as far as they go into playoffs. Postseason travel is guaranteed, however, where we'll be going is always kind of a surprise. A few years ago, we went to Pasadena and marched in the Rose Bowl parade, while this past year we drove to Shreveport, Louisiana on Christmas Day to play at the Independence Bowl in high of 40-degree weather. Chiefs really have to be diehard FSU fans, because sometimes you'd rather skip opening Christmas presents for the love of FSU football and a 10-hour bus ride.
Not only do we support the university and especially our football team through all the good, the bad, and the ugly, but Chiefs have the opportunity to constantly showcase the immeasurable talent that all of our members have. Being a Marching Chief is no small accomplishment, and I feel so honored that I have the opportunity to wear that uniform, represent FSU, and cheer on our guys for my third year.
