Your Survival Guide to Your First College Football Game

By Ian Acosta on August 24, 2017

The beginning of a new year on campus is fast approaching which means moving back to apartments, buying new textbooks, registering for classes, and, of course, intercollegiate athletics. What I am getting at is it is FOOTBALL SEASON! Can you tell I am excited? Because I am very excited.

In my opinion, there is no better way to spend a fall Saturday afternoon in mid-October and November standing outside on a cloudy, overcast day watching some Big Ten football (forgive me, I am an Illini fan so I am a bit biased.) Never been to a college football game before? No worries. Here are some tips to survive your first college football Saturday.

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Stay away from the drunk people

Now, I know you have not gone to a college football game before. This is why we are here. If you have not gone to a sporting event at all, there is one group of people you should especially watch out for: drunk people. Alcohol and fanatic sports fans do not mix well. You may have seen this if you pass a tailgate or two on your way into the stadium. Some people who are inebriated are nice, some are not so much, and some just came to get drunk.

Watch out for the crazies

By crazies, I mean students and older fans alike. Sports are some peoples’ lifeblood. Some people take it WAY more seriously than you think. While I am a sports fan in general, I can confidently say I live and die for one sports organization and that is the Chicago White Sox. Stay away from people like me. I have fun when my team wins and am miserable when they lose. These people can make the experience more exciting with their fervor and fandom but they can also lash out. Keep an eye out. Go with your roommates, classmates, or friends you know from back home.

Go with the cheers

Cheers are a BIG part of any college football game. Typically, you will see anywhere from 4-5 organized cheers throughout the whole game. Hopefully, you are a quick learner because you do NOT want to be the only person in the stands not performing cheers for your team. By the end of the day, you won’t be able to get the chants out of your head and you’ll want to go back to the time where you didn’t know any of them.

Dress the part

If your school colors are blue and yellow, it probably will not be a good idea to show up to your first game wearing orange and purple. Solidarity and school spirit go hand in hand. If you have absolutely nothing to wear, consider picking up a shirt or two from the fan shop on campus because nobody wants to be the odd man out on game day. Not in the mood to pony up some money? Ask a friend or two for a hand-me-down shirt or outfit to take to the game, or consider DIY spirit wear.

Make some friends at the tailgate

Any part of college football Saturday is a good, old-fashioned tailgate. What does that mean? Firing up the grill and putting some burgers and hotdogs on it. Setting up a rousing game of bags (or cornhole as some of you call it.) Additionally, having some beverages of the adult variety never hurt anyone as well (as long as you are of age, of course.)

Do not just stick with your own tailgate. Every fan who is rooting on the same side as you is a friend for the upcoming three and a half hours. Therefore, go out to some nearby setups and make some friends! Especially if you are a newbie to college athletics, this is your chance to learn from the veteran fans about their experiences, stories, and traditions.

Dress for the weather

As I mentioned earlier, I am a Big Ten football fan. Therefore, mid-October and November means that while it is football season, it is also the time where the leaves begin to turn red and there is a chill in the air. Do not let yourself get caught off guard by rain, sleet, or snow. Make sure when the fall months come you go to every game prepared to withstand whatever conditions Mother Nature may throw at you. I have made the mistake one too many times of not having enough under my Illini football jersey and let me tell you, it was NOT a pleasant experience.

Stay until the end

Yes, sporting events are long. Yes, there are many stoppages of play. And yes, they may seem to drag. However, you are there to support your school and your team. Most importantly, you are there to immerse yourself in one of college’s many experiences. Why not take advantage of every minute you can? Remember, they do not last forever.

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