IRVING, Texas (April 11, 2016) – Arguably boasting some of the nation’s most unique traditions, college football has continuously inspired the creativity of its fans to develop a never-ending stream of amazing customs that capture their intense passion for the sport. In an effort to fulfill its mission of dramatizing the history of the game, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame has compiled a list (see below) of many of the sport’s notable Football Bowl Subdivision traditions, which will be highlighted during the offseason in a social media campaign and on FootballMatters.org, the NFF’s digital platform for storytelling and promoting the good in the game.
“College football fans have developed a truly special collection of traditions stretching back to the first game in 1869,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “These traditions matter because they highlight that college football provides a powerful platform for creating a sense of community on college campuses nationwide. College administrators recognize this, and more than 60 schools have added programs in the last decade alone, bringing the total number of college football programs to 773. These additions make a clear statement about the positive impact that football has on our communities.”
In the official book of the National Football Foundation, a 564-page tome published in 1972, Hall of Fame Coach Bud Wilkinson wrote about the high value placed on the game and its ability to keep us young, vibrant and “steamed up.” He also noted college football’s powerful contributions to campus life, especially its integral role in connecting past, present and future generations of alumni.
“On each Saturday of each fall, we find caravans of millions of college alumni journeying back to their alma maters to watch their favorite teams play. There they renew old acquaintances and friendships. There they thrill from the nostalgia of their earlier years as they watch the colorful marching bands, the majorettes, and the cheerleaders urging on their teams. There the bonds are renewed with their colleges, and there we have an inspiring demonstration of a vibrant free society at play. To me, there is no sport that has the color, the pageantry and excitement of college football.”
The new College Football Hall of Fame in the heart of Atlanta’s sports, entertainment and tourism district, pays tribute to many of the sport’s greatest traditions. The Coca-Cola Fans’ Game Day Gallery contains multiple exhibits where visitors can learn about the Uga mascot at Georgia; Bevo at Texas; the Leprechaun at Notre Dame and USC’s Song Girls, as well as the marching bands at Ohio State and Morehouse College (Ga.).
Other traditions highlighted at the Hall include the 18 mile per hour speed limit at Ole Miss, the Smurf Turf at Boise State, the Blackshirts at Nebraska, the pink locker room at Iowa, Tightwad Hill at Cal, the Oklahoma RUF/NEK Paddles, and the Minnesota-Wisconsin Paul Bunyan Axe. As fans enter the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Skill Zone through the Touchstone Tunnel Presented by Southwest Airlines, they can experience replicas of several iconic college football artifacts, including Howard’s Rock at Clemson, the Michigan “Go Blue M Club Supports You” sign; the West Virginia football Mountaineer Mantrip coal; and images of the smoke at Miami and the Block “T” at Tennessee.
“Preserving the rich history of college football stands at the center of the National Football Foundation’s mission,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 College Football Hall of Fame inductee from Ole Miss. “And we take great pride in making sure that our sport’s heritage has been preserved at the Hall in Atlanta for future generation of fans to enjoy, experience and expand with their own new additions.”
The following list highlights many of the sport’s notable traditions, which will be highlighted during the offseason in a social media campaign and on FootballMatters.org. The initiative will include Twitter polling that will allow fans to vote for their favorite tradition. The NFF will track the results, promoting the top traditions as unscientifically identified by the fans before the start of the 2016 season.
Air Force
· Mach 1, live falcon on sidelines of games
· Pregame, pregame traditions include having every Air Force cadet march on to the field and a fly over before each home game, capped off by the Wings of Blue parachute team delivering the game ball
Akron
· AK-ROWDIES, student spirit organization found at all sporting events
Alabama
· Roll Tide, motto of Alabama athletics
· Houndstooth, pattern worn by many Alabama fans to pay tribute to College Football Hall of Fame coach Paul “Bear” Bryant
Appalachian State
· Yosef, official mascot of Appalachian State athletics
Arizona
· Bear Down, motto of Arizona athletics
Arizona State
· Forking the Endzone, mascot, Sparky, plants his pitchfork in the endzone to celebrate every ASU touchdown
· PT42, Arizona State’s uniforms bear a patch reading “PT42” honoring College Football Hall of Famer Pat Tillman
Arkansas
· Calling the Hogs, rallying cry for Arkansas fans
· Tusk, live hog that sits on sidelines of Arkansas games
Arkansas State
· War Drum Ritual, beginning in the mid-1950s, all true freshmen on the team (including managers and trainers) take shifts, usually one hour each, beating an Indian war drum in front of Indian Hall for 24 hours prior to Homecoming kickoff
· Milk and Cookies, team members gather for milk and cookies the night before each game
Army West Point
· Marshall Plaque, players touch the Marshall Plaque before entering the field at every game
· Divisional Emblems, Army Football uniforms are outfitted with the Divisional Patch of one of the Ten Active Army Divisions for every game
Auburn
· War Eagle, motto of Auburn athletics as well as a live eagle mascot that flies around stadium before games
· Rolling Toomer’s Corner, following football victories or other occasions on campus, students throw toilet paper over the oak trees on a corner of campus
Ball State
· Frog Baby Statue, famous statue on campus that is decorated for football games
Baylor
· Sic ‘Em, motto of Baylor athletics
· Baylor Line, established in 1970, the Baylor Line is composed entirely of new students who wear a football jersey with the number of their graduation year and a nickname on the back. Prior to each home football game, the Line runs onto the field and creates a human tunnel to welcome the football team to the field
Boise State
· Blue Turf, installed in 1986, Boise State became the first school to especially install colored turf field
· The Hammer, Boise State's football coaches award the right to carry "The Hammer" out of the tunnel prior to each game to the player who gives the most effort, plays with the most passion, delivers a key hit, etc.
Boston College
· SuperFan, In 1999, two students created the now famous SuperFan shirts that all students wear at home sporting events
Bowling Green
· Ay Ziggy Zoomba, chant performed at Bowling Green football games
Buffalo
· True Blue, student spirit organization
BYU
· Y Mountain, Stone “Y” on side of mountain that overlooks campus and is lit up on special occasions
· LDS Conference, BYU plays an annual Friday night game on the eve of the Latter Day Saints General Conference
California
· Tightwad Hill, Hill that provides a free viewing area for home games
· Card Stunts, special sections of the stadium given colored cardboard to create illusions in the stands
Central Florida
· Pegasus and the Golden Knight, live horse and rider who appear at football games
Central Michigan
· Circling the Rock, outside Rose Arena after every home football game, students, faculty, and alumni see the Marching Chips encircle a large rock with a plaque commemorating the Band Tree that once stood there
· Cymbal Crash, started in the 1970's when one lone cymbal player crashed his cymbals back and forth and eventually the entire student section joined in
Charlotte
· Norm the Niner, official mascot of Charlotte athletics
Cincinnati
· Rallycats, student spirit organization
· Nippert Stadium, second-oldest playing site in the nation for college football behind Penn's Franklin Field
Clemson
· Tiger Rag, signature song of the Clemson marching band
· Running Down the Hill, called the most exciting 25 seconds in college football, football players touch Howard’s Rock before running down the hill from Fike Field House to the field at the start of each game
Coastal Carolina
· Maddox, live bantam rooster at football games
Colorado
· Ralphie, live buffalo mascot that leads the team onto the field
Colorado State
· Cam the Ram, live ram mascot on sidelines of games
· The A, the white "A," which is repainted annually, displayed on the foothills overlooking Hughes Stadium
Connecticut
· Jonathan the Husky, live husky on sidelines of games
Duke
· Blue Devil, mascot of Duke athletics
East Carolina
· Jolly Roger/No Quarter, the hoisting of the school colors (raising the Jolly Roger) just before the opening kickoff at home Pirate Football games. Following the end of the third quarter, the Pirates raise the "No Quarter" flag to start the fourth quarter of home football games
Eastern Michigan
· Go Green, chant performed at EMU games
Florida
· We Are the Boys of Old Florida, Song sang at every Florida football game
· Mr. Two Bits, a famous cheer performed at every Florida home game that is designed to get all the Gators to stand up and holler
Florida Atlantic
· Taylor Victory Bell, rung after every home victory
Florida International
· Panther Rage, student spirit organization
Florida State
· Sod Games/Sod Cemetery, team captains return home with a patch of turf from all road game victories at the University of Florida, the ACC championship and bowl games to bury in the sod cemetery
· Osceola and Renegade, Chief Osceola and his Appaloosa horse, Renegade, have been fixtures at Seminole home games since 1978. During their pregame ride, Chief Osceola plants his famous flaming spear into the grass at the 50-yard line
Fresno State
· Victor E. Bulldog, the bulldog that occupies sidelines of Fresno State games
· The V, a green “V” is placed on helmets and Victor’s collar and recognizes the pride of the student-athletes, coaches and staff in representing the San Joaquin Valley
Georgia
· Battle Hymn of the Bulldog Nation, signature song of the Georgia Marching Band played during pregame
· Uga, live English Bulldog mascot on sidelines of games
Georgia Southern
· Eagle Creek, inspired by the gnat-infested drainage ditch that cut across the field between the team’s locker room and practice fields, Erk Russell convinced his players that its stagnant water was actually “Beautiful Eagle Creek,” a source of “magical” waters
· Headbutting Erk, As Eagles take the field, each player head butts the bust of Erk Russell to honor his legacy
Georgia State
· Pounce, mascot of Georgia State athletics
Georgia Tech
· Ramblin’ Wreck, 1930 Ford Model A Sport coupe that serves as the official mascot of the student body at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Since 1961, the Wreck has led the Yellow Jackets onto the field
· White Jerseys at Home, Georgia Tech is one of the few schools to wear white jerseys at home
Hawaii
· Haka, Dance performed by team before and after games
Houston
· Olympic Fanfare, fanfare is played after every Cougar victory
· Helmet Buggy, golfcart with fiberglass Houston helmet on it that drives around field at games
Idaho
· Joe Vandal, mascot of Idaho athletics
Illinois
· Grange Rock, rock players touch before taking the field
· Block I, student section that performs card stunts at every game
Indiana
· Hep’s Rock, Every coach and team member touches the rock before taking the field
Iowa
· Nile Kinnick Statue, every player touches the helmet at the foot of the statue before entering the locker room
· Pink Locker Room, visiting locker room in Kinnick Stadium is completely painted pink
Kansas
· Rock Chalk Chant, chant performed at all Kansas games
Kansas State
· Wabash Cannonball, signature song of the Kansas State marching band that serves as a second fight song
· FAMILY, Kansas State takes the field with a block of wood that reads “FAMILY,” that inspired students to create signs that replicate it
Kent State
· Flash the Golden Eagle, mascot of Kent State athletics
Kentucky
· Call to the Post, identical to the tune played to call horses to the post at the Kentucky Derby, a trumpet player in the UK marching band plays it before Kentucky takes the field
LSU
· Night Games at Tiger Stadium, LSU has played its home games under the lights at Tiger Stadium since 1931
· White Jerseys at Home, LSU is one of the few schools to wear white jerseys for home games
Louisiana-Lafayette
· Ragin Roar, pep rally prior to first home game of the season
Louisiana-Monroe
· Talon Tunnel, tunnel formed by students that team runs on to the field through
Louisiana Tech
· Spirit of ’88, every Bulldog player touches the bronze bulldog statue as he walks down the ramp before every home game
Louisville
· Johnny Unitas Statue, every player rubs the statue for good luck before games
Marshall
· We Are Marshall, chant performed during home games
· Thunderclap, fans clap in unison for every point scored
Maryland
· Testudo’s Nose, pregame tradition for every player to touch the nose of the Testudo Statue, a bronze version of the school’s Diamondback Terrapin mascot
Memphis
· Tom the Tiger, live tiger mascot on sidelines of games
Miami (Fla.)
· Smoke, team runs out on to the field through smoke
· The “U”, Miami fans are known to “throw up the U” as a spirit gesture
Miami (Ohio)
· Cradle of Coaches, nickname earned for history of producing star coaches, including four College Football Hall of Famers
Michigan
· Touching the “M Club Supports You” Banner, players touch the iconic banner when they run onto the field
· Winged Helmet, Fritz Crisler introduced the winged helmet at Princeton, but made it famous as the Michigan coach in 1938
Michigan State
· Zeke the Wonder Dog, unofficial mascot that performs at halftime
· Spinning the S, pregame performance performed by MSU band that creates illusion of a spinning S
Middle Tennessee
· he Horseshoe, alumni, students and fans are encouraged to touch the Blue Horseshoe for good luck before an event
Minnesota
· Ski U Mah, chant performed often during football games
· Goldy Gopher, official mascot of Minnesota athletics that is famous for spinning his head
Missouri
· Painting the M, large stone M at Faurot Field, annually given a fresh coat of white paint
· Golden Girls, prestigious spirit and dance squad
Mississippi
· The Grove, widely considered the top college football tailgate in the country
· No. 38, Chucky Mullins wore No. 38 at Mississippi before he was paralyzed in a game in 1989. The number is now retired but is work on special occasions by a senior defensive player who most embodies Chucky Mullins' spirit and courage
Mississippi State
· Bulldog, live bulldog on the sidelines of games
· Cowbells, cowbells have been a staple for Mississippi State fans since World War II
Navy
· Bill the Goat, live goat that is the official mascot of Navy athletics
· Pregame, pregame traditions include having every Naval cadet march on to the field and a fly over before each home game
Nebraska
· Horseshoe, lucky horseshoe touched by each member of the team before taking the field on game day
· Blackshirts, name given to the defensive starters and dating back to the tenure of Hall of Fame Coach Bob Devaney in the 1960s and the early years of two-platoon football
Nevada
· Painting the N, annual ritual each fall for a group of fans and students make the trek to add a fresh coat of paint to the "N” on Peavine Peak
New Mexico
· Lobo Louie, mascot of New Mexico athletics
New Mexico State
· The A of Tortugas Mountain, annual repainting of the large white “A” on Tortugas Mountain
North Carolina
· Ramses, live ram mascot on sidelines of games
N.C. State
· Lighting the Belltower, illumination of the school’s Belltower in red after each victory
North Texas
· Spiriki, eagle statue that players touch as they run out on the field
· Green Machine, Ford Model A driven at football games
Northern Illinois
· Red Riot, student spirit organization
Northwestern
· Clock Tower, campus clock tower is lit purple for Wildcat victories
Notre Dame
· Gold Helmets, Notre Dame helmets have 23.9 carat gold in the paint
· Play Like a Champion Today, the sign that players touch before taking the field
Ohio
· Baker Cane, cane displayed in athletic offices that once belonged to former Ohio University president John Baker and was gifted to him by former Ohio football coach Carroll Widdoes
Ohio State
· Buckeye Helmet Stickers, players earn buckeye leaf stickers for their play on the field, but only if the team wins
· The Best Damn Band in the Land, Ohio State marching band that is famous for intricate shows and “Dotting the I” tradition
Oklahoma
· Sooner Schooner, covered horse drawn wagon that goes across the field after scores driven by the RUF/NEKS
· Play Like a Champion Today, sign touched by Oklahoma players on their way out of the locker room
Oklahoma State
· America’s Greatest Homecoming, week-long spectacular that draws tens of thousands of alumni, family and friends back home to Stillwater each fall
· Paddle People, section of stadium that hits paddles on the sideline wall to increase fan noise
Old Dominion
· Big Blue, mascot of Old Dominion athletics
Oregon
· Motorcycle Entrance, the Duck mascot leads the team onto the field on the back of a Harley Davidson before every game at Autzen Stadium
· Uniforms, Oregon is known for its flashy Nike uniforms and their many combinations
Oregon State
· Benny Beaver, mascot of Oregon State athletics
Penn State
· We Are Penn State, motto of Penn State athletics
· Blue Buses, players and coaches arrive to Beaver Stadium in blue school buses
Pittsburgh
· ROC, mascot of Pitt athletics
Purdue
· Big Bass Drum, oversized bass drum used by Purdue Marching Band
· Boilermaker Special, Victorian-era locomotive that serves as Purdue’s official mascot
Rice
· MOB, the iconic Rice marching band
· The Coaches Table, wooden table on display in Rice’s athletic department with every coach’s name burned into the tabletop
Rutgers
· Cannon War, Rutgers students take midnight trips to Princeton to paint a cannon the schools have fought over since 1875
· First Game Statue, the team travels down the Scarlet Walk before each home game to touch the statue on campus, commemorating the first college football in history between Rutgers and Princeton on Nov. 6, 1869
San Diego State
· Aztec Warrior, student dresses up as Aztec Warrior on sidelines
· Warrior Shield, accompanies the team on the sidelines during home and away games
San Jose State
· Spartan Squad, student spirit organization
SMU
· Peruna, live Shetland pony that leads team on the field
· The Best Dressed Band in the Land, the SMU Mustang Band possesses nearly 30 different uniform combinations with various coats, pants ties and hats
South Alabama
· South Paw, mascot of South Alabama athletics
South Carolina
· 2001 Entrance, the theme song from “2001: A Space Odyssey” is played before team takes the field, rated as one of the best entrances in college football
· Cockaboose Railroad, Twenty-two cabooses line a railroad track just outside of Williams-Brice Stadium where fans tailgate before the games
South Florida
· Scoring Celebration, One cheerleader does a pushup for every point atop a board held up by the other cheerleaders
Southern Mississippi
· Southern Miss…To the Top, cheer used by Southern Miss fans
Stanford
· The Bearial, leading up to the annual Cal-Stanford game, the Stanford Marching Band conducts a ritual in which they impale a stuffed bear representing Cal’s mascot on the Claw Fountain on campus
· LSJUMB, the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band is known as “The World’s Largest Rock & Roll Band”
Syracuse
· Flipping the Banner at the Varsity, members of the Syracuse Marching Band flip the banner of the opposing team after each victory inside Varsity, a pizza shop on campus
· No. 44, the retired jersey No. 44 was worn by College Football Hall of Famers John Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little
TCU
· Riff Ram, chant performed at TCU football games
· Bleacher Creatures, children six years or older are invited to take the field before each home game
Temple
· Cherry Crusade, student spirit organization
Tennessee
· Rocky Top, signature song of the Tennessee marching band
· Vol Navy, approximately 200 boats make up this giant floating tailgate party
Texas
· Bevo, live longhorn on the sidelines of games
· Big Bertha, largest bass drum in the world, played by the UT marching band
Texas A&M
· Home of the 12th Man, the entire A&M student body stands during the entire game to show their support, a tradition that stretches back to 1922
· Midnight Yell, pep rally held the night before a home game in Kyle Field and at the Grove on Thursday nights before away games
Texas State
· Victory Star, five-pointed star atop Jackson Hall, which is lit on occasions of all athletic victories, both home and away
· Victory Ball, everybody who enters Bobcat Stadium is encouraged to rub the ball for good luck
Texas Tech
· Masked Rider, official mascot that leads team on the field
· Double T Saddle Monument, a sculpture of a saddle that each member of the team touches before entering the field
Toledo
· The Rocket, Genuine U.S. Army rocket displayed in Glass Bowl
Troy
· Trojan Fanfare, song performed as part of pregame show before team runs out
Tulane
· Victory Bell, bell rung to signify Tulane football victories
Tulsa
· Wave the Flag, fans wave hurricane warning flags at games
UAB
· Gang Green, student spirit organization
UCLA
· Eight Clap, cheer performed by UCLA fans at games
UMass
· Sam the Minuteman, mascot of UMass athletics
UNLV
· Hey Reb, mascot of UNLV athletics
USC
· Card Stunts, special sections of the stadium given colored cardboard to create illusions in the stands
· Stabbing the Field, pregame tradition for the drum major to stab his sword into the field
Utah
· Block U, 100-foot tall Block U in the foothills around the campus that lights up when Utah plays at home
Utah State
· Block “A”, monument on campus where one becomes a True Aggie by receiving a kiss under a full moon
UTEP
· Paydirt Pete, mascot of UTEP athletics
· Painting the M, annual tradition for students to whitewash the M on the Franklin Mountains
UTSA
· Come and Take It Flag, mascot or selected “Texans” run onto the field with the Roadrunners before each home game carrying the UTSA version of the “Come and Take It” flag
· Rowdy Rush, freshman class storms the field in matching jerseys to form tunnel for team to come out through
Vanderbilt
· Anchor, an anchor is housed in the locker room and taken on all road trips
· Victory Flag, a solid black flag is raised above the west side of the stadium after a win and left up for seven days
Virginia
· The Good Old Song, song sung by students and fans at games
Virginia Tech
· Enter Sandman, the Hokies take the field to Metallica’s Enter Sandman, rated one of the best entrances in college football
· Lunch Pail, a black lunch pail that includes the defense's mission statement, keys to success and goals, along with patches of turf and grass from road victories
Wake Forest
· Rolling the Quad, fans celebrate game wins by “rolling the quad,” covering the center of campus with streamers of white tissue
Washington
· Boatgating, Boaters gather in Husky Harbor to tailgate before the game
· Dubs, live husky on the sidelines during games
Washington State
· GameDay Flag, WSU fans across the nation ensure the school’s flag flies wherever ESPN College GameDay sets up each week during the season
West Virginia
· Mountaineer, student mascot selected each year by the Mountain Honoary, the school’s prestigious service honorary society
· Take Me Home, Country Roads, signature song written by John Denver and played every pregame and following every home win
Western Kentucky
· Big Red, mascot of Western Kentucky athletics
Western Michigan
· Row the Boat, motto of Western Michigan athletics
Wisconsin
· 5th Quarter, postgame concert performed by the Wisconsin Marching Band
· Jump Around, fans jump and sing when “Jump Around,” a song recorded by the band House of Pain, is played between the third and fourth quarters
Wyoming
· Beer Song, song performed at every Wyoming home game
· Cowboy Joe, live pony on sidelines of games
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include FootballMatters.org, the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy presented by Fidelity Investments, annual scholarships of more than $1.3 million and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include the Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Herff Jones, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, PrimeSport, the Sports Business Journal and Under Armour. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org.
