I can feel it. That indescribable energy throughout campus that comes this time every year as the first leaves begin to fall. NC State students begin to star and circle the first home Wolfpack football game on their calendars to make sure they don’t miss it.
The first home Wolfpack football game is this Saturday, September 15, at 6pm, against South Alabama. Fans begin the preparations by cleaning out their well-used and much-loved coolers, making page-long grocery lists and beer runs, finding the perfect and oh-so-necessary all red and white outfit, and decking out their vehicles for clear distinction as a Wolfpack fan on the roads.
Yes, Wolfpack football is known for our girls in cowboy boots, guys in red bow-ties, pigs on the grill, coozies around our cups, beer in our belly, wolf-tats on our faces, corn in the hole, rednecks playing golf, fans screaming loud, blasting country music, and constant howling being done. With that said, find yourself a new Wolfpack Football tradition this year while enjoying the old ones – like the ones found on this ACC Road Trip’s video of NC State tailgating!
But before that big day actually arrives and Wolpack fans start their game-day rituals, you should probably refresh yourself on these Wolfpack football guideline basics we’ve compiled from fans across campus!
Know your chants!
First down protocol is something you need to know throughout the whole game. When the announcer says “And that’s a Wolfpack….” Have your hand up shaking as if spirit fingers or jazz hands have gone haywire and scream “FIRST DOWN!” After this, take part in the “move the chains!” cheer born and bred by a fan in a proud stupor almost a decade ago. Watch this video posted by Jason Hibbets from 2010.
Take part in the WOLF – PACK stadium chant where one side screams and waits for the other side to respond – just give them enough time to respond before you start screaming WOLF again.
Know the rituals!
Every game is initiated with the National anthem and it has been known for some time now that NC State makes it our own by yelling the word RED in “..the rockets RED glare..” and replacing “brave” with “WOLFPACK” at the end of the song, “..and the home of the..WOLFPACK!” The word change has been controversial from time to time, but hey, we’re proud of our country – and our university.
Make sure to stand if you’re in the student section! If you are going to be where the action is – contribute to the action! Make Wolfpack Nation look and sound like the pack of wolves we are!
If somehow the “wave” actually gets started in the stadium and begins its lap around the stadium, don’t yield the process! Take part by standing up, screaming, and continuing a wave that gets the crowd going!
If we are winning in the last seconds of the game, pull out your keys and use them to say goodbye to the opposing team as you jingle them.
Stick around until the end of the game for the band to play the alma mater. Wrap your arms around your neighbor to form a tight-nit chain of Wolpack fans and get those vocals going! Brush up on your alma mater skills here!
Know when to cheer!
Be loud on the 3rd down when the other team has possession of the ball. Scream at any point when we are on defense and keep it quiet when we are on offense. You don’t want to be counterproductive – no matter how many drinks you’ve had or how proud you may be!
Clapping with the Power Sound of the South is uplifting and is a fan favorite. However, for some reason, the student section tends to be a beat off from the rest of the stadium! I know, I know, you’re excited and you’ve had a long tailgate. Just try to keep to the beat with the Red and White song! Check out the lyrics here!
Check out the 2012 NC State Tailgate Championship that hopes to promote fan support and improve game day enjoyment for all. Any Wolfpack fan with enough spirit could win! GO PACK!