The old college spirit brings a family together
It has been 17 years since I was a college senior attending my
last Fresno State football game at Bulldog Stadium, so I felt a bit
out of place last weekend as my family and I wound our way past the
student tailgaters that were more interested in getting a buzz than
being part of the buzz associated with the nationally-televised
game against Cincinnati.
The old college spirit brings a family together
It has been 17 years since I was a college senior attending my last Fresno State football game at Bulldog Stadium, so I felt a bit out of place last weekend as my family and I wound our way past the student tailgaters that were more interested in getting a buzz than being part of the buzz associated with the nationally-televised game against Cincinnati.
Back when my friends and I were those revelers, a football game was an excuse to have a pre-party and then a post-party. That’s how the college schedule worked for me and my friends, with Taco Tuesday and Thirsty Thursday serving as bridges to the weekend.
With nearly 40,000 people expected at this Labor Day weekend game, I was taken back to those carefree days, though I was happy some aspects of them were behind me. The streets around the stadium were packed with ‘Dog fans, 90 percent of whom were wearing red Fresno State shirts.
My T-shirt was gray, but it said Fresno State. My older son wore a blue shirt, but it, too, had the Bulldogs’ logo, so we fit in. My younger son and my wife wore red Fresno shirts, so they blended in just fine as well.
Nothing comes close to the atmosphere at a college football game, which feels more accessible and less corporate than a professional game, though the ticket prices aren’t that disparate.
As we circled the stadium to find our seats, my youngest son took out his cell phone and captured pictures of the playing field, where quarterbacks and receivers were doing their pre-game drills. The school marching band played the alma mater for tailgaters in the parking lot while we purchased $5 bottled waters to battle the 100-degree heat.
The student cheering section filled right before game time, just in time to allow the Bulldog faithful to boo the Cincinnati players as they lined up to enter the field. The inflatable tunnels through which the Fresno State players would run during introductions shook side to side as the anxious athletes awaited their call to the field.
The crowd erupted and the music blared as they took the field, their exuberance infectious. Two military jets flew over and we all stood with hands over hearts during the playing of the National Anthem.
The game itself was disappointing during the first half, with Fresno struggling offensively and defensively and long television timeouts dragging out the affair. But Fresno started scoring and the crowd got back into the action, which helped me feel better about choosing to watch the game in person rather than on ESPN2 from the comfort of my home.
My wife caught the Bulldog fever, or was part of the Dog House, or whatever spirited phrase is attributable, and it initially embarrassed our 14-year-old when Mom yelled “Go Dogs!” after a good play.
“Mom! Shhh!” he implored, being a typical teen who doesn’t want any attention drawn to his parents. But he soon realized that all of the other moms and dads were doing the same thing and that made it OK.
Her second half cheering drew nary a sideways look from him, as he didn’t mind that she participated in the wave by throwing her hands up and cheering. She also wasn’t given an “Aww, Mom!” when she stood up for “Third Down Thunder,” when fans are encouraged to rise up and make noise to support the Fresno State defense.
The Bulldogs ended up winning by two touchdowns and we all left in a great mood. Filing out of the stadium, we got a kick out of the random woofs and barks of ‘Dog fans, many of whom were no doubt still feeling the effects of their tailgating.
People stuck their heads out of their car windows and were yelling “One and O baby!” referring to the Bulldogs’ record, while others shouted “How ’bout them Dogs!” to passers-by.
Our boys got a kick out of the whole evening and didn’t even mind being with Mom and Dad as we stood on bleachers and yelled after each touchdown.
Now does that mean they will sit with us at the first San Benito High School home football game? Not a chance; not with their friends around.
That’s alright, though; we know how it works. Parents are tolerable and even (occasionally) enjoyable when the distractions of home and school are removed from the equation. Enjoying an evening together as a family – even two hours from home – is worth the price of admission any time.
Adam Breen writes a blog at http://thebreenblog.blogspot.com and teaches newspaper and yearbook classes at San Benito High School. He is a reporter for the Pinnacle and is former editor of the Free Lance.
