Despite the name, the Army-Navy football game has nothing to do with national security or rescuing hostages. These two rivals have been fighting for victory since 1890. The tradition begins before the kick-off with the Black Knights and the Midshipmen trading students who spent the last semester amongst “the enemy” as a part of the Service Academy Exchange Program.
Leave it to the military to start a celebratory day with a “prisoner exchange”. But it is all in good fun and allows the exchange students to root for their own teams from their side of the field. And honestly, what is more, American than football, serving your country and a long-standing rivalry?
St. Joseph’s University
Even though it feels good to take part, not all college sports traditions require audience participation. Some are more of a spectator sport, and boy can they be fun to watch. St. Joseph’s basketball fans get to enjoy the team’s Hawk mascot as he gets in an amazing arm workout each game out on the court.
Seeing the Hawk flapping its wings is truly amazing. It just keeps going from tipoff to the final buzzer. The man or woman inside the stifling bird suit never stops flapping. There are estimates that the St. Joseph’s Hawk flaps its wings an astounding 3,500 times per game. No wonder their motto is “The Hawk Will Never Die.” Well, at least they have really toned arms.
Auburn University
“War Eagle” is more than just a battle cry for Auburn Tigers fans, it is a representative of their fighting spirit. No one quite knows where this motto comes from, although there are some theories. Even though it is not their school mascot, it is clearly very special to SEC fans.
The best part, according to Auburn fans, is that when they shout out the War Eagle battle cry, it’s like giving their in-state rivals a kick in the shin. Arch-rivalries are part of what make college sports traditions so awesome!
Taylor University
As the saying goes, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight. Taylor U in Indiana may be a small school with just 2,000 students, but they have plenty of fight. On the Friday before finals, basketball fans stream into the arena, dressed in a variety of costumes, and refusing to say a word until the Trojans score their 10th point. After which they start cheering and just don’t stop.
This special night is like a special costume party just for sports lovers. We can definitely get behind dressing up for no reason. The silence which builds up the suspense and storming the court afterward is epic. All of which builds up to driving opposing fans absolutely mad! Genius!
Auburn University
The burnt orange Alabama school is already back with another tradition. Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium is situated smack in the middle of campus, so immediately following a major victory, students and fans immediately head to the famous Toomer’s Corner which is just up the street.
The ensuing operation requires a massive amount of toilet paper. Fans begin “rolling the corner” and don’t stop until they have covered all the trees in the area in a white blizzard of victory. Tigers fans sure know how to honor football and have some fun.