College football, the best way to spend your fall Saturdays in the south. The food, family and spirit is like no other. It is as if Christmas comes every weekend. Football brings together Americans from all walks of life; young or old, poor or rich.
With another new season approaching here are the top six things that make the college football experience so special.
1. College Gameday
The morning begins at 9 AM sharp as the channel is set to ESPN and Big & Rich come blasting through the speakers. "We are coming... to your City...." Viewers get to hear a more personal side to college football with in-depth and fun interviews that make each week special. We learn about the historical aspects of the host college and their local treasures. Samantha Ponder gives her perspective on the games, and we all wait with excitement to see which mascot's gear Lee Corso will put on this week. Yeah, we like pulling for the underdogs anyway.
2. Pageantry
Pageantry in the south starts with what to wear to the games. Navigating through college town boutiques young ladies try to find the "perfect" fall outfit as early as the middle of July. When in doubt, girls can always put on a sundress and an old pair of cowgirl boots, praying that their makeup doesn't melt off before kick-off. Some guys deck out in their collard shirts and khakis. Others pick up a colorful football jersey and off they go. It is quite the fashion show.
3. Tailgating
Tailgating is serious business. The preparation, location and cash that go into hosting the right tailgate are essential. What food to make, who to invite and what gameday decorations you bring can take a week to plan. Do not forget the song playlist either. A successful tailgate always has great music, great food and wonderful company. Some of these games are played in 100 degree weather so don't forget the cold beverages! A good tailgate can last all day and long into the night.
4. Food
Ahhh, the food. Whether it is hot dogs, chicken wings, BBQ, Bojangles dirty rice or Chick-fil-A minis...food before, during and after the game sets the day. The homemade dips, tiny sandwiches and out of this world desserts are unreal. After the game, whether in defeat or victory, a new meal begins: until traffic dies down, break out the cookies, peanuts and potato chips. For one reason or another it always tastes better in the car as we are heading back home.
5. School Spirit
There is nothing quite like the school spirit of a college football game. Walking into the stadium chanting your team's cheer at the top of your lungs. Standing in the student section for hours bonding with a random stranger over the love of your team and the disgust of a "terrible" call made by the refs... The other coach had to pay them off, right?
6. The Game
You get there 30 minutes early just to watch your team warm up and "welcome" the opposing team onto the field (in the south we welcome respectfully, of course). We wait impatiently as our team prepares to make their grand entrance, feeling the ground shake as fans scream and jump up and down. The stands are filled with thousands of your closest friends and it feels like one huge family united. You hold your breath during 3rd down and pray your defense can stop the bad guys on 4th and short. Finally, the game ends and you wait a little while longer to sing the alma mater then leave the stadium head held high no matter if it is a victory or defeat.
You see, college football is not just a sport, it is an experience. Experience that impacts that eight-year-old girl in a cheerleader uniform, the students, alumni and all the other fans who are there just like you to have a good time. It is an experience that can forever change how you view sportsmanship, respect and family. Your team relies on you and you rely on your team.
Get ready... the next weekend you will try to do it bigger and better than before.
