College football season is officially here. For many of us, the first kickoff signals the beginning of fall – even if the temperatures are still sweltering. Fans donning school swag (and painted bodies and ridiculous hats) come out of the woodwork, screaming cheers and singing fight songs at the top of their lungs. Tailgating starts hours (days?) before the game each week, rain or shine. We college football fans take our allegiance to our teams seriously.
Even the usually mild-mannered among us eagerly participate in long-standing traditions and crazy stunts to show our school spirit. Whether your school’s pregame starts with the Ramblin’ Wreck (Georgia Tech), a live – and occasionally uncontrollable – bison name Ralphie (Colorado), the Sooner Schooner covered wagon (Oklahoma), or by boat (Tennesee), it’s a great way to get the crowd riled up. At Ohio State, the marching band spells “script Ohio” on the field, dotting the “i” in dramatic fashion. The Iowa Hawkeyes faithful wave to pediatric patients watching the games from the children’s hospital that overlooks the stadium. Auburn fans blanket the oak trees at Toomer’s Corner with toilet paper to celebrate their wins. The list goes on and on.
Any outsider would think we were out of our minds to be so committed to these silly traditions. And maybe we are. Yet they bring us joy. The camaraderie and connection we feel when we are aligned toward a common purpose, no matter what, is hard to deny.
I grew up a University of Alabama fan. It’s safe to say they know a thing or two about football in Tuscaloosa. Given their history, we Tide fans have come to expect great things from our team. And with the level of talent they attract, they usually don’t disappoint. But every so often, even we are surprised.
Like this year. In January, Nick Saban – widely regarded as one of the greatest football coaches of all time – retired after 17 years. Perhaps we had all deluded ourselves into thinking he’d be around forever. During his tenure, he led the team to an incredible six national championships, produced multiple Heisman trophy winners, sent 49 first-round draft picks to the NFL, and became an entrenched member of the Tuscaloosa community through prolific charitable work. They’re even naming the football field after him at this week’s game to honor his legacy. Who could possibly follow that?
Enter Kalen DeBoer. After his first game as Alabama head coach last Saturday, he’s starting off strong with a 1-0 record. Coach DeBoer is confident, well-respected and has a solid track record at Washington and other schools. The players seem to like him, even as he’s choosing to do things a little differently than Coach Saban. Sports analysts question and speculate, but who knows what the future holds.
It’s easy to cheer for a winning team with an established leader. It’s more challenging when uncertainty creeps in. But real supporters back their team through thick and thin, staying true to the common cause. So regardless of how Coach DeBoer’s starting season at Alabama turns out, I’ll be cheering on the Tide like I always have.
We are wired for connection. Win or lose, uncertainty or not, it feels good to be a part of something greater than ourselves. All the chanting, dressing up, and participating in wild traditions help us do that. It’s the common experience we’re after. Even if outsiders question our sanity.
