Whether attending tailgates, feeling the atmosphere of a packed stadium or sitting around the TV with close friends and family, high school students tackle college football in different ways.
College football is a staple of American culture; passionate fans, historic rivalries and long standing traditions are just a small part of its identity. The football players balance competition on the field with rigorous academic commitments and unite with the fans through school pride and passion.
“The college atmosphere is really special,” Oliver Franklin (12) said. “Students, alumni, parents and fans are all packing out the stadium and cheering with the band and cheerleaders while a really competitive game is occurring. These players are playing with so much passion it’s infectious, and that really reflects the electric atmosphere that can be created. It’s just like the video game NCAA 25 with the stadium pulse.”
The stadium atmosphere is not the only positive experience about college football. It can be much more intimate, with small watchparties around a TV with loved ones or friends where the shared excitement of the game and of the team can help make a good experience as well.
“It’s like going to a concert versus listening to the music in your headphones,” Franklin said. “At the games you get so much more emotion right in front of you because of how many people are around you, but there’s also the appeal of just being with your boys, acting dumb and eating food at someone’s house watching your favorite team.”
There are approximately 858 football colleges spanning five different division levels: NCAA Division one, Division two, Division three, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and National Junior College Athletic Association. So, how does one pick their favorite team and players? Simple factors like a family team, alumni connection, style of play and general sportsmanship can help one make a decision on their team.
“It’s not just about the on-field actions, but off-the-field actions as well,” Lucy Pitt (12) said. “I grew up an Ole’ Miss fan because that’s what my whole family is, but with social media presence now you don’t want to cheer for a football player who is a [fool]. Also, if a team is more offensive or more defensive. Some people like a good defense because it’s the foundation of the game or they like offense because it’s more exciting.”
Tailgates are festive pregame traditions where fans gather in parking lots of fields near the stadium, setting up tents and grills. They create an atmosphere of camaraderie and excitement before the game.
“A tailgate itself is super fun,” Pitt said. “At Ole’ Miss, they have the Grove and almost all of the tailgates happen here. It’s in the middle of the campus and by gameday it’s filled with tents. You dress up, eat food and everyone’s hanging out. Even after you lose the game you still hang out at the Grove and meet all kinds of different people.”
College football is not limited to just college students. People of all ages come together to watch ‘the game’. From old men and women to young children, chances are someone can find someone with a shared interest. College football is more than just a good time — it builds community and a sense of unity.
“College football is a big part of my identity,” Pitt said. “I could be in an Ole’ Miss sweatshirt and someone would say ‘Hotty toddy’ to me. So meeting people through football has always been a big thing, because through the connection we built, it can help me with my education. I have met people big at the university and people I never would have met otherwise.”
