Do actions really speak louder than words? For Boston College Superfans, words have been speaking pretty loudly, probably louder than the administration would have preferred. If you’ve been to a football game in the past three years, you know exactly what I’m talking about. But for those of you who may not be the biggest football fans, let me explain.
When our BC Eagles get a first down, all the Superfans chant in unison, “Woo! Eagles, first down!” However, partway through the 2009 season, some clever football supporters made a tiny addition which led to a huge controversy. At the end of the cheer, all the Superfans were yelling an indecent word that rhymes with the word “witch” (I think you all can figure this one out…). This subtle change has caught on and is loud enough to be heard from the field, from the non-student section, and even on television during aired games.
Some people, including some of our own football players, don’t mind the change at all. “I like it, it’s unique,” shares Junior Ian White, an offensive guard for the Eagles. Sophomore Harris Williams, defensive tackle, agrees, “It shows we have sassiness.” I think it’s safe to say that the sassiness of our students is not up for question, but rather the classiness.
One of our favorite-feathered friends of Chestnut Hill had some light to shine on this subject. “While it’s great to show our strong convictions during these spirituous times of jubilation, we must not forget that we are representing the school. Frankly, it’s disrespectful,” explains one of our Baldwins. The question still remains though, where did this modified chant stem from?
Our beloved Superfans at the Duke game! *Note: these are not the inventors of the “decorated” first down chant!
If you can believe it, the addition was an accident. One of the creators, who will remain unnamed for those who may feel a little anger towards him, shares his story with HC BC. “Freshman year (2009 season)… we sat in the second row back at the twenty yard line… there was a close call whether or not Montel Harris got over the line to get a first down,” he explains, describing how the refs had to go into a huddle and conduct a measurement while both teams gathered around to hear the verdict. “When the ref signaled with his arm first down, the band started to play the song, and since the opposite team’s players were right in front of us, I had to mock them,” he confesses, “an expletive definitely helped in the moment.”
The rest is history.
Next down, the people around him joined in, thinking it was funny. Next week that number grew even larger. Two years later, we have the audible exclamation that can still be heard around Alumni. This year, however, there seems to have been an attempt at a change by the Boston College Marching Band.
When asked about the band’s attempt to change the chant to “Woo! First down, Eagles,” director Dave Healey clarified.
“Over the past twelve years, the Marching Band and Superfans have worked together to create a dynamic and friendly game day environment at Boston College,” said Healy. “One of the characteristics we admire most in our Superfans is their tremendous creativity and wit. When the First Down cheer began to deteriorate into an un-BC-like version, we simply offered a gentle redirect to remind everyone that our greatest strength lies in our collective character and intellect.”
Although the attempt has seemed to fail thus far, it does draw into question whether this chant really is “un-BC-like.” After all, aren’t we the same Superfans who chant “Goalie, goalie, goalie you suck at life and goaltending! It’s all your fault, it’s all your fault, it’s all your fault!” at hockey games? Does the expletive at the end of the first down chant function in the same way as this goal chant or is it really a bigger issue?
In the words of one of the inventors, “it’s more of a poor reflection of a Superfan how late we show up to games—way more than how we act once we’re there.”
You may agree with this statement (and many people must, because the words still ring loudly through Alumni), or you may agree more with Baldwin, who suggests to “self monitor your own chants and encourage your friends around you to not say it as well.” Wherever your alliances may lie, I hope to see everyone, Superfan shirts on, at the UMass game this Saturday to support our BC Eagles!