Am I the only one missing football season desperately? I hope not, because when you see me come September 1st, I will be letting out all of my pent up excitement from the off-season. I miss the smell of burgers and bratwursts on the grill. I miss the convenience of so many finger foods like guacamole and other dips with tortilla chips. It truly is the best time of the year. It is not only about personal enjoyment, though. It is a grand bonding experience between friends as you rally next to one another with school pride. We proudly watch our Mountaineers continue to fight each and every game. Last year we went 11-2 and came home proud winners of the Camellia Bowl. We rally behind our players because they show that we aren't just a team to overlook. We will win and we will lose, but we will be respected. Michigan found this out the hard way in 2007.
I cannot wait to be with friends again and enjoy game days like we did last year. I love that in can be a time when everyone comes together to cheer for the school. We all have our social discourses and niches at school. We will choose who we associate with and tend to gravitate toward the ones we are most comfortable around. This is all fine because it is just human nature, but it is nice when you can step outside of those boundaries some and let loose. Getting out of that comfort zone is a step in the right direction. Now, going to a football game and tailgating may not mean you are directly associating with different friend groups and people you aren't used to talking with, but you are coming together for the same reason. Everyone will know why you are there. Everyone will have the same hopes for what the outcome will be. Everyone will have similar emotion and reaction to the events in the game. It will be a time of inclusivity as everyone comes to Kidd Brewer Stadium for the same reason.
Another truly exciting part of the season is in traveling to away games. It takes a little extra commitment but is an experience like no other. Last year, myself and some friends went to the Clemson game. Although we lost, it was perhaps the best football game I have ever been to. That stadium, known as "Death Valley", is one of the biggest college football stadiums in the country. The player's locker room is on the opposite side of the entrance so they load up on multiple busses and are brought around for them to make a dramatic entrance. Although cheering against them, one can't help but admire the football culture there. This is the reason away games can be so great. You get to meet more people and experience new college cultures.
Football brings people together. Have fun and let out all of the stress from the previous week of classes. Enjoy the experience of winning, losing, making friends, yelling, and whatever else you feel like doing. It is a time to live.
