A Reflection on my First Season as a Badger
In lieu of the conclusion of my first ever Wisconsin football season, I find myself wondering how I am now going to spend my early Saturday mornings and afternoons. We say goodbye to complaining when there is an 11 A.M. game, jumping around in the stands, walking up and down Langdon trying to find a good frat party and trying not to get split up from your friends in the student section. Though this was only my first football season at Wisconsin and I still have three more to go, I am sad that this part of the year is now over. But, instead of mourning the end, I would instead like to reflect on my favorite parts of the football season and my favorite traditions that I learned this year.
6. “1st and 10 Wisconsin”!
First up is “1st and 10 Wisconsin”! Even though it’s just four words, the combination of the whole student section yelling this, pointing towards the field and then followed by the ending bars of On, Wisconsin! is something that just gets me going throughout the game. It’s a simple tradition that everyone can participate in, and it’s easy to catch on to if you are a first timer. I will, however, say that at my first game, I was quite confused and had no idea what everyone was yelling, but I caught on fast.
5. The student section race
I actually love the student section race, but in comparison to all of the other events that take place at the game, this one had to be placed at five. To me, there’s something so unique and different about the student section race which makes it so enjoyable. Also, the lead in from the student section race to Jump Around is almost perfect. The student section is already fired up, and the opening notes coming on just as the program ends is such an exciting feeling. Though my section has never won the race, I have still enjoyed placing bets with my friends on who will win and booing as another letter crosses the finish line.
4. Bucky’s pushups
In fourth, we have Bucky doing pushups after every touchdown or point scored. This is one of the most classic Wisconsin football traditions, and I love it because it includes Bucky (who is unbiasedly the best mascot ever) and the delight of seeing Wisconsin points being scored. As the points and touchdowns start to rack up, the more fun watching the pushups becomes. But, you cannot help but feel bad for Bucky on days where he does over 100 pushups in a game, but on the contrary, it means Wisconsin is doing very well.
3. section P and O chants
The top three are honestly all interchangeable, and I look forward to all three each game. In third though would have to be the section P and O chants. When I went to my first game and heard the vulgar chants between the student sections, it made me laugh. I genuinely think this chant is one of the funnier, but also equally confusing ones. After the first game, my dad asked me: “Why do you yell at one another?” and my answer was that I had no idea. I think the intrigue, confusion, and fun of this chant is why it earns a third place spot, and why I look forward to it each game.
2. Build me up Buttercup
Buttercup. Some may argue that the singing of Build Me up Buttercup is better than Jump Around itself, but I don’t completely agree there. That said, there is truly nothing else like the entirety of Camp Randall singing this classic song. In my opinion, the best part is when the song cuts out just before the start of the chorus for the second time and the whole stadium goes acapella for a bit. Just hearing the chorus echo through the stands is truly something else, and is something that I’m sure brings all Wisconsin fans joy, no matter their generation.
1. Jump Around!
You already know what it is. The most iconic tradition in all of college football: Jump Around. Coming to UW, Jump Around was the tradition that I was most excited about. There is nothing like falling off of the stands for jumping too high and too aggressively and watching the entire stadium do the same exact thing. Jump Around just has such an energizing effect on everyone, and even if Wisconsin is playing awfully or the weather is bad, it’s a guarantee that you will always hear people say “Let’s stay until Jump Around”.
With the end of my first ever football season, I find myself upset (especially because I was unable to secure basketball tickets) but excited for next year’s season. Though some may point out that there is one more homegame, I will be watching that one from the comfort of my own home so it’s not quite the same. Hopefully next year’s season will be just as fun, but along with a couple added game wins.