I was recently at a local high school soccer game when an impromptu half-time performance took place: a skirt-wearing soccer player was leading another player, who was on all fours and wearing a large bulldog head, across the field. At center field, the bulldog stood up, pounced on the player, pretended to maul him, and then slung the player over its shoulders and ran off the field. The “Bulldog” sideline erupted in shocked and delighted screams, hoots, and yelps.
Had I just witnessed a tradition in the making? They all start somewhere; college football especially is steeped in fan tradition. Though it’s hotly debated which traditions are the most innovative, the most inspiring, the most raucous, and the most popular, I have a sneaking suspicion these votes would not be without their biases. But these nine are surely some of the best known—and wackiest.
University of Mississippi: Tops in Tailgating
Who could think of a football game without immediately thinking of a tailgate party? Ole’ Miss boasts the ultimate collegiate tailgate experience and has been ranked the top collegiate tailgating spot in the country by Sports Illustrated and number two in the country by ESPN. And this is no beer-swilling, brat-gobbling bash—not to say that swilling and gobbling don’t happen. Ole’ Miss sets the standard with something akin to ten acres of fine dining, including white tablecloths, china, cocktails, coats and ties, and women in dresses. The Grove was originally a spot for fraternities and sororities, but by the 1950s, they were joined by anyone looking for some pre-game partying.
University of Wisconsin: Rocking the House
You know the song “Jump Around” by House of Pain? Imagine bleachers filled with 80,000 ferocious Badger fans singing and jumping around to this song. It is played between the third and fourth quarters at every home game and as those in attendance can attest, it literally rocks the house. This is a tradition still in its infancy, having only been born on October 10, 1998, in a game against Purdue. The Badgers had failed to score the first three quarters when this song was played in order to incite the fans and the players. It apparently worked, as Wisconsin came back for the win.
