By Ben Vierra, Chat Sports Campus Ambassador at Stanford University
Game days are some of the best days of the year at Stanford—not only because our football team is consistently one of the best teams in the country, but also because of the traditions that we Stanford students undertake every gameday, every year.
1. Outside fraternity parties
Fall in Stanford is pretty incredible. While East Coast Schools are covered in snow and rain, it’s sunny and 75 in Palo Alto. What that means is that students can head outside, wearing shorts, skirts, and tanks, and party in the best weather in the country. With the sun beating down and blue skies above, we simply have it better than those schools where students need to put on 3 layers just to make it outside.
2. Treehouse
Treehouse is a restaurant on campus, filled with the best, greasy food you can find. Before heading to the game, walk over to Treehouse for a pitcher of beer and some pizza that’ll tide you over for the next few hours. You’ll always find dozens of rowdy Stanford students here, and it’s a great way to get pumped for the game.
3. The Walk Down
The walk down to the game is, frankly, pretty long. But that’s a good thing. A solid 20 minute walk may seem like a burden to some people, but to Stanford students, this is one of the highlights of the day. As you walk down, you’ll bump into acquaintances and friends from all over campus, and each person is just as excited as you are to see Mcaffrey score a touchdown. You’ll connect with die hard Stanford fans who may not even go here, or families who have Stanford connections back to the early 1900s.
4. The Family Tailgates
Right before you get to the stadium, you will crash into all the family tailgates. Stanford families and fans have put up tents, massive TVs, and have enough burgers and beer to satisfy the entire undergrad population. You walk through, talk with some of the old alum, and get some free food and drink along the way. The alum will tell you legendary stories of their days at Stanford, and you love hearing them because you’re living the same experiences that they once did.
5. The Student Tailgate
Next, you head to the student tailgate. There are hundreds of undergrads, all dancing, partying, chanting for our team. It’s perhaps the biggest gathering of the undergrads on campus at any point in the year: the biggest moment of school spirit and pride. The awesome student DJ’s will get the whole crowd pumped for the game.
6. The Band
The band has become famous throughout college sports for its wacky demeanor, inappropriate skits, and hilarious attire. They march right by the tailgate before the game starts, and you all watch and cheer at their carefree attitude, knowing that they have something outrageous planned for halftime. The Stanford Tree leads them, representing all that is unique to Stanford campus.
7. The Red Zone
Once in the game, all the students head to the Red Zone, the student section. Here, everyone gets rowdy, excited, and anxious for our team. We heckle the opponents, cheer for our own guys, and start massive chants that reverberate through the whole stadium. We often have night games, and it is pretty awesome to see so much cardinal red underneath the Friday night lights.
8. Red Zone traditions
If you go to Stanford, you have to know the Stanford traditions. First, for every kickoff, you have to take your keys out and shake them. It’s good luck. Every first down, right after it is announced, you all have to chant in unison “Ooh Ooh Ooh, First Down!” while pointing your fingers in the direction of the offense. And anytime the opponents are throwing, kicking, doing anything, you need to scream at the top of your lungs and pound the steps beneath you as hard as you possibly can. These little gameday traditions make the game unique, rather than just another football game.
9. Halftime Awards
At most of the games there are awards and celebrations at the halftimes. They are touching. Often, they honor veterans or people who have served Stanford’s community. Other times, they celebrate Stanford’s athletes; last week they handed out rings to last year’s national champions. Those people who are welcomed onto the field are greeted by cheering from thousands of fans around them. It is a small thing, yet makes the game extremely powerful.
10. Party After
After the game, all the students head back to their dorms where they get ready to keep the festivities going. The fraternities host the postgame parties, where students can celebrate our win (since we almost always win). The football team, after showering and doing their postgame routine, head to the parties as well, where we celebrate their athletic accomplishments. Go Card!
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