The Arizona State University football game. It is the one cultural aspect I have managed to avoid since enrolling in ASU. I have been to a few high school games, but I spent my time at those gossiping and avoiding peers. I was honestly a little proud of not having been to an ASU football game, but for the first game of this season, ASU v. Idaho State, I finally gave in.
This is the true story of the low-key, school spirit-less girl who found her spirit.
The first thing I have to do is take off my clothes.
Seriously. Apparently a perfectly cute navy top and shorts is not acceptable attire for a Sun Devil. The minute I get to the condo of my friend Michele Rinck, a sophomore and nutrition major, I am forced to change into a gold ripped-at-the-shoulder ASU tee. Okay, fine; I might as well look the part.
And look the part I do, as we enter the stadium and are immersed into a sea of gold. I am very aware of our own sobriety as excited students walk/stumble into the arena. The student section is buzzing with anticipation and the energy is becoming contagious. I have to admit I am slightly stoked for the game to start.
After a few fireworks go off, it is game time! This is when I discover my favorite part of going to football games: For no evident reason, everyone jingles their keys and yells “OHHHHHHH” until the ball is kicked at every kickoff. I had to look at this forum to find out why exactly this ritual exists, and apparently it is supposed to denote a “key” play, but people do not wait for there to be a significant play to shake their keys anymore. I can see the appeal! It is quite a rush standing there participating in this ridiculous key-shaking extravaganza. Are there any other circumstances where this is normal? No. No, there are not.
ASU gets three points in the first quarter somehow. One of those field goal things? Whatever, it involved fireworks. In the second half, they score 17 more points by getting touchdowns, which is clearly more impressive according to the crowd’s reaction. I clap and scream “WOO!” at all the right times, though I think chanting “Bullshit!” at every bad call would be a little too out of character for me.
The only halftime shows I have witnessed up until now have involved Britney Spears or Janet Jackson’s boob, so I am slightly underwhelmed by the band playing and cheerleaders dancing. Really? Was there no celebrity available to entertain the sober, less fanatical masses?
In the third quarter, ASU scores 13 more points and Idaho State finally gets three cute little baby points. We leave the game with five minutes left in the third quarter. According to the fireworks we hear on the drive home, ASU scores 14 more points (that’s two more touchdowns plus the extra points, you see) in the fourth quarter and wins 50-3. Typically schools choose teams they can easily own for their first game of the season, so ASU evidently made an excellent choice.
As we exited the stadium, I reflected on my experience to Michele. “I really liked feeling that rush of energy,” I said. “It’s kind of cool that everyone wants the same thing.”
That must have been why I actually had fun. Despite the fact that I did not have much in common with the students who surrounded me, here I was, cheering right along with them. We all wanted ASU to win and Idaho State to get their butts kicked. Those High School Musical kids were right. We are all in this together!
Fine, school spirit. You win. I accept you.
Reach the reporter at paige.devitt@asu.edu.
