The Leadoff

With college football commencing soon I thought I would share my list of top 5 college traditions. I love college football Saturdays – the pre-game hype, college game day signs, watching talented kids from all over our country give it everything they’ve got, the band and fans – it’s all so entertaining and fun! With that said, here are my top 5 college traditions. What are yours? There are so many good ones!

1. Wisconsin Badgers – Jump Around. I’m sure we have all seen this amazing tradition on social media in recent years, but did you know they have been playing it at every home game since 1998?! Fans at Camp Randall Stadium bounce up and down between the third and fourth quarters to House of Pain’s Jump Around and it absolutely electrifies the place. How much fun does this look?! I want to go! Fun fact: my mom was born in Wisconsin. Click image below to watch video!

2. The Hawkeye Wave – University of Iowa / Stead Family Children’s Hospital. At the end of the first quarter at every Iowa home game the fans — nearly 70,000 of them and players turn and face the Stead Family Children’s Hospital, which directly overlooks the stadium and all wave to patients and their families watching the game from the hospital. This tradition is a newer one starting in 2017 when the children’s hospital was completed. The idea to start this came from a smart lady Hawkeye fan who simply suggested it on a Hawkeye Facebook group. What a wonderful thing to start! This picture below gives you all the feels. Click image to see heartwarming video.

3. Arizona State University – Tillman Tunnel. You know I had to throw in my alma mater, ASU and it’s awe-inspiring Tillman Tunnel which honors our fallen hero Pat Tillman and his legacy. The Tillman Tunnel underwent a makeover in 2013 complete with a 7 ½ foot bronze Pat Tillman statue located at the North endzone of Frank Kush Field. Right before the game starts the players, coaches and personnel run through the Tillman Tunnel on to the field with AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” blaring. I hear Alumni are welcome near the exit of the tunnel by the field to help pump up the players as they charge by touching the Tillman statue symbolizing their commitment to play with passion like Pat did. Next thing you know a Sparky video comes onto the jumbotron and it’s time to throw up your pitch forks, pull out your keys and clank them around for kickoff as you settle into the inferno. Watch Marie Tillman check out new Tillman Tunnel by clicking below.

4. Army / Navy Game – I love the patriotism and camaraderie of the Army-Navy game. It is a storied rivalry between the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, and the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. The game has been dubbed “America’s Game” for its focus on future military officers battling it out in a friendly football rivalry. The series started in 1890 and a game has been played each year since 1930, even during World War II. They have parachute drops, flyovers and unbelievable bands that come together for our national anthem. After the game is over, the players take turns singing both teams’ alma maters. It truly is such a wonderful display of our brave men and women. It is touching to watch their spirit and enthusiasm as they come together to celebrate football and two top tier service academies. I always root for Army as my grandfather, Thomas O’Hare served in the Army and was stationed in Germany. The video I found on this is awesome! See for yourself below…

5. Notre Dame / Play like a Champion Today Sign – I’m such a sucker for Lou Holtz, I just love him so much – I hope he lives forever so coming in at number 5 for me is the tradition he started as a coach at Notre Dame. He wanted a sign that pumped up his players as they walked out on to the field. So, a Note Dame graphic designer named Laurie Wegner was assigned to the task. She hand-painted the now famous Lou Holtz quote “Play like a Champion Today” sign and still reaps the benefits of thousands of prints produced since then. No clickable link below, but how cute are Lou and Laurie?

Holtz said…”I told my players, ‘Every time you hit this sign, I want you to remember all the great people that played here before you, all the sacrifices that your teammates have made for you, all the people, your coaches, your parents, who are responsible for you being here.’” Lou Holtz believed in the sign so much that he had Laurie make another one and took it with him to road games. Fun fact: My husband, Adam went on a baseball recruiting trip to South Carolina and Lou Holtz was coaching there at the time. Adam was down on the football field before the game and Lou said to him… “So, you coming to South Carolina son?” He decided not to go there, but how cool / fun!

Another fun tradition at Notre Dame that I learned and had to include is the legend of “Touchdown Jesus” a mural officially called “The Word of Life.” It is painted on the south side of a tower attached to the library and is adjacent to the football stadium. It is 134 feet tall and is visible from the field, making it seem as if it’s watching over the Fighting Irish on game days. Though the mural doesn’t have anything to do with football, the legend of “Touchdown Jesus” came about during the 1964 season as Notre Dame started 9-0—the upraised arms of Jesus made it seem like he was signaling touchdown! Apparently, it is now partially obstructed after some stadium upgrades.

Those are my personal favs. I would really love to hear what yours are. I enjoy learning about all the fun traditions. How amazing is college? Now I need to get a tailgate on the books.

Have a good weekend and enjoy the upcoming college football action!

Cara