As the fall semester came to its close, we also said goodbye to Saturday nights spent in the stands of our college football stadiums. College football is the backbone of any successful college experience. The excitement, anxiety and chaos that is college football can be found no where else. Although I hate saying goodbye, I know there will always be a next season. So here are a few things I am already looking forward to as I count down the days to kickoff next fall.
The Tailgating.
Tailgating is everything we love about college wrapped into one afternoon: all of the food, the friends, the partying, the music and the school spirit. What else could you ask for?
The Student Cheers.
Being a part of something larger than yourself is always a good feeling. Being a part of something larger than yourself that is perfectly coordinated and strikes fear in the hearts of opponents? Best feeling in the world.
Actually, the entire student section in general.
You have never really experienced a college football game unless you have sat in the student section. The sense of school spirit and pride is actually tangible.
The Rivalries.
It is always fun having a few rivals within your conference. But it is only fun when you are playing them at home, otherwise you are like a helpless little puppy in the midst of blood-thirsty pit bulls.
Getting On The Jumbotron.
Any time I have made it onto the huge screen in the stadium, I feel like an actual celebrity. I usually manage to embarrass myself and everyone around me, but who cares? I'm on TV!
The Traditions.
Every school has its own unique traditions surrounding game days and football. At LSU, Mike, the real, living, breathing Bengal tiger takes a stroll around the stadium, greeting and hyping up all of his beloved fans.
The Emotional Trauma.
Any game worth watching will always be a nail biter. The intense ups and downs fans experience through the course of a single game is traumatic. But I wouldn't trade those moments for anything else. Those emotions come from a place of extreme pride, and there is nothing wrong with believing wholeheartedly in your team.
Singing the Alma Mater.
There is something special about belting out your university's anthem with 100,000 other fans, students and alumni. It is a heartfelt reminder of the school's history and deep-rooted traditions. And when you get to the end of the song, you can't help but having a big, dumb smile plastered across your face.
The Dancers, Cheerleaders, Band and Color Guard.
These people are the ones who really get the crowd going. I could never imagine standing out there for an entire game on a hot Saturday night, smiling as much as they do. Shout out to you guys, you da real MVP.
Celebrating Afterwards.
Where I'm from, win or lose, we party. When we win, it's usually more fun, but we just want to celebrate our school and how hard our team works.
The Unity.
Inside a college football stadium, only one thing matters: the colors you are wearing. The importance of your age, ethnicity, religion and lifestyle melts away. When you are in those stands, you are all one big family. College football bring people together, and unites even the most opposite of people.
