Mirror Lake, on the Ohio State campus, is really just a pretty pond that could be found at almost any college in America. In nice weather, students can relax on the grass next to it between classes, or just daydream in front of the fountain and try not to wonder why the water is that particular shade of green. But on Michigan Week, when the Ohio State Buckeyes play the University of Michigan Wolverines, one of the most heated rivalries in college sports, the lake becomes something quite different.
For some reason, students throwing themselves into a slimy, ice-cold lake is the ultimate insult to Michigan. Thousands of OSU fans bombard the lake to carry on the perplexing tradition of cannon-balling into the pond. Hopefully, they do not swallow too much germ-filled water and can actually attend the game.
Utah State University
This chant was actually invented in the Naval Academy Preparatory School, then it was taken up by the Navy and was then apparently brought from high school to college by student Jay Rodriguez. The chant is a call and response and starts with a single word, adding one more each time through until all the voices come together and proudly yell, “I believe that we will win!” This is a tried and true method of keeping the energy up at football and basketball games. These fans don’t need energy drinks to stay awake like other college students, all they need is this chant to get their blood pumping.
This chant may sound simple but when everyone starts screaming in unison, it is completely mesmerizing. The effect is so overwhelming that it has taken the world of soccer by storm and has become the unofficial rally cry for the USMNT. Maybe we should teach the Greenpeace volunteers this chant. It will definitely pump them up and help them get way more signatures.
Texas A&M University
No matter how hard Seattle Seahawks fans try, only Texas A&M Aggies fans have earned the right to call themselves the real “12th Man.” These fans are all in, they stand from kickoff until the clock runs out. And that’s not all, to be Aggies tough you not only have to stand for hours, but you also have to wave some towels while doing it.
When the A&M game finally comes to an end, the 12th Man is truly worthy of his honorary title. Maybe they have not suffered all the blows as the guys on the field, but these students have been through some hard times and done some serious exercise. Coming up, the Aggies have more than one way to show their commitment.
The University of Arkansas
Hog calling in hunting season has got nothing on hog calling for fall football in Arizona: Woooooo, Pig. Sooie! Woooooo, Pig. Sooie! Woooooo, Pig. Sooie! Razorbacks! To get the authentic experience at home, first, raise your hands on the “woo” and then wiggle your fingers and finally bring out the fist bump. If you’re still unsure, you can practice with the video.
This is definitely one of the most enjoyable and entertaining chants of all of the college sports. Sitting in the stands when this one starts belting out is the experience of a lifetime. If you do not have a huge grin on your face when this chant is over, well we guess you just didn’t Sooie loud enough.
Pennsylvania State University
The only way to describe Penn State’s “white-out” is breathtaking. Almost every group of fans has tried to hold a white-out home game at one time or another, from high school teams to the NFL. But fans of the Nittany Lions are anything but average, which they proved to the world during their white-out at Beaver Stadium.
This tradition is made even more special because it only takes place one game a year. An incredibly bright game for which PSU fans all prepare. It is the game of the season and people should only be allowed in with protective eyewear because when you walk into a stadium filled with 110,000 white tees, it is like staring at the sun.