After 11 years, the two power schools in Miami faced off Saturday, September 22nd. The atmosphere was palpable between ‘The Golden Panthers’ and ‘The Hurricanes’. The students wore their green and orange or their blue and gold everywhere, showcasing their school spirit.
I went to both the tailgate and the game as a spectator and dressed in my panther gear. Having attended tailgates and games in FIU, it was a new experience to sit in the seats of the Hard Rock Stadium. It also felt extremely overpowering how the wave of orange and green would consume the stadium, setting the stage for the football players; a very different feeling to attending the FIU games where a dropped pin can be heard every once in a while.
One thing I learned from this experience is that in contrast to our school, the tailgate is the beginning of an end. A mere distraction from the real fun, the real show. Something our school hasn’t quite yet reached.
The loud booms every time a touch down was scored by the Canes and the hosts of the football game added theatrics for the people that aren’t really there for the football but rather for the experience. Throughout the game a variety of interviews were displayed showing another side of the football players. Through questions like “what superpower would you like to posses,” the heroes turned into normal men. The crowd was engaged not only in the game, but in the surroundings. As intermissions broke the game, fans were asked to compete against the players in simple trivia games.
Our school lost, yet it lost triumphantly. After a rough beginning they were able to score 2 touchdowns and a field goal which rounded the score to 31-17 in favor of the Canes.
Attending the tailgate and the game made me realize what FIU has to offer and what it will continue to bring to incoming students. Yet it is very important to find what makes us Panthers, what drives our school spirit and allow it to shine during game days. Games should be an experience every student should wish they could go to, a place where they get to showcase who they are and what school we proudly attend.