As the dutiful teacher, I always tell my students that college is first and foremost about an education, period. And I stick by this sentiment, 100%. But I rarely explain all of the other things that a college experience entails, mainly because it is difficult to tell my students about those things.
How do I explain the sense of tradition that, at some colleges, has been passed along for over a century? How do I explain the feeling that you get when you meet someone who you know, deep in your soul, will make a profound difference in your life, simply with their presence? How do I explain the feeling of waking up on Saturday mornings, donning your school colors, and then joining in with hundreds of other people who share your passion to scream, cheer, and chant your team to victory? How do I explain the process of learning how to be an expert at your chosen task and then showing what you have learned to the world?
I had all of these experiences and more at college. And I was reminded of so many of those experiences last night. Yes, it is great to be a Florida Gator.
It was truly electrifying to be at the National Championship football game. The moment we entered the parking lot I could feel the energy, the intensity, and the passion. Now, I have been to many sporting events in my life. I grew up going to Dolphin, Hurricane, Heat, and Marlin games. I have attended a Red Sox game at Fenway park, car racing in New Hampshire, and even arena football in Miami. I love sports. But last night was different. Last night was not all about a sport. Last night was about meeting up with people you have not seen for years and reminiscing about the "old days." It was about giving a fist pump to some guy you have never met, but still felt a kinship with simply because he has roamed the same hallways as you have. Last night was about coming together and feeling that your words, your gestures, even your inner most thoughts could possibly have an effect on what is happening on a field. Last night was not only about love of a game and a team, but about love of an experience.
Any fan who is worth their salt knew that last night's game between the Florida Gators and Oklahoma Sooners was going to be a great one. Both teams have proven their worth and both teams played their heart out. The first half was intense with all fans, Gator and Sooner, sitting on the edge of their seat. During the second half the Gators came out on top. The team leader, Tim Tebow, became a mad man who not only made some great passes but rushed for over 100 yards and spent his time off field pumping up the crowd. When the time came for the Gators to celebrate their victory the team rushed the field amidst clouds of firework smoke and confetti. After celebrating with his team, Tebow made the rounds around the field, high fiving fans, cheering the victory, and showing how much he appreciated all of the support.
Me, I just cheered so much I lost my voice, smiled from ear to ear, took a bunch of pictures, and gave my husband a big victory kiss (and also a thank you kiss for winning great tickets).
Yeah, it is great to be a Florida Gator.
18 comments:
It's great to be a Florida Gator!
Judging from that photo, it looks like it was worth it to miss a Friday. I know you were probably constantly thinking of us and could barely focus on the game while you were at the stadium. Well, you don't have to worry, the substitute kept us quite entertained with her clumsy antics. In fact, she was so entertaining, no one was disruptive or anything. Maybe we should try this new "method" of keeping the class in order on Monday.
I definitely made time to watch this game because I knew for sure that it would be a good game. Little did I know, the Florida Gators ended up coming out on top for the National Championship! Many people were complaining about the bandwagon fans cheering for the gators; however, I beg to differ having a brother and sister both attending UF I have grown to become a Florida Gator legacy. It was a great game all around and Tim Tebow being a great leader he is, really got the crowd and his own teammates into the game. The game was so intense and interesting and I can't believe how close it was throughout the duration of the game. All I can say is, its great to be a Florida Gator!
BOOMER SOONER! Not the Gators maned up. Mrs. Stoklosa it looks like you had a fun time at the game. Football is the college experience in my opinion. Wow my favorite part about the game besides playing is how loud the crowd gets. Their is nothing better to listening to OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH! I mean or Orange.... Blue! It's just to fun. I agree that education is first, but football is right after.
It is only my dream to become a Florida Gator fan. I have always wanted to go there and I want to be a part of it. I can only imaginge what it would be like at the national championship game of your college. I want to feel the college expereince and I hope I get accepted there. Other then that the game was spectacular. Tebow had one amazing performance and rushed the ball like crazy. It is hard to believe that a quarterback of his size can rush the ball so well. The Gators have really been succesfull lately winning two basketball and two football championships in the last four years.
My parents told me that college are the best years of their lives. He sees that the whole excitement of sports can change you. I am not a fan of football, but I am pretty sure I will after I indulge myself with school spirit. I will take advantage of all that college has to offer!
My number one goal as of right now is to become a Florida Gator. I never really wanted this so much until I went on the college tour and visited the campus. As soon as we got there I just got such good vibes from the ambiance of the school. It has a beautiful campus and for some reason I just felt like it was right. That is when I decided that was my number one choice for college. I am as well a very big sports fan, and when we got to the part of the tour where we saw the football field I could not wait to be part of the orange and blue sea in the bleachers. Watching the game that Thursday night I was more excited than most of the guys watching it with me, partly because I cannot wait to be part of the crowd cheering on their school. I will continue to do well in school and hopefully someday I will see you at a Gator game and be able to understand what you have experienced! Go Gators :)
Wow the way you describe the college pride makes me want to go already.I really wish i could have see the game but unfortunetly i had prior arrangements but i am glad that you had fun.
I happened to have watched the game myself; however, I was not as blessed to be able to go to the game. I was stuck at home watching it, but that didn't matter to me. All around it was a great game and I have to listen to my mom yell at the T.V screen and little did she know that they could not hear her. I was on the edge of my seat the entire game and I loved how Tim Tebow uses his leadership to gain support of the fans and his own teammates. That defines an excellent player. I am so glad he is going to be at UF for another year. Many people were complaining about how people were bandwagon fans, but I beg to differ. My brother and sister both attend UF and that makes me a legacy there. I would really like to see my future being a Florida Gator! Go Gators!!!
See thats something that undermines the thoughts of many adults now adays. I mean even you said on the last post that you hear students talking about the opposite sex and the parties. Most teens are just trying to sound like the average teenager but in reality im pretty sure they have some sort of ideal in what they want to become, whether it be a dream or a goal. But it is the experiences that teens really look foward too and yes the education is part of this. Life is all about experiences it is the only way you learn and this is exactly what makes college that much better of a stepping stone in life that I desperately hope I get to experience.
It's great when you have connections with people, that you can't explain to others.
It is just like the times when you told us that rooming in a dorm is the best way to go. You get experiences that you wouldn't else where. Also, you bond, and meet more people than you ever could compared to living by yourself.
Traditions are great to keep, and I go through many too.
Dont take this as a serious post but your husband is so cute.
Congratulations!!
When I read about what you felt as you entered the parking lot, I was reminded of how I felt when I went to see the Yngwie Malmsteen in concert, even though I had NO idea of who he was, but I could still feel the excitement and power that everyone carried with them.
I wish you and your team experience more victories.
College, college, college.... sounds extremely exciting. Parties, being free what could be better. But I've always wondered if I'd rather go to a big school or little one. This blog posting has answered my question. I just dream to wake up early every Saturday morning, get out of a bed that’s way to small for me, look and see my half naked room mate, and throw on the colors that represent our beloved school. It must have been a great experience to go see the team you love be crowned champions of the college football world. When I make my way into the path of adulthood, I hope that I can represent a school and have a team to root for even in my older years.
I think there's no true way to explain those kinds of feelings we get from events like those, especially sports events. In Venezuela it's between the baseball teams that there has always been rivalry, and it just feels amazing whenever you step into a stadium and watch your team play at their best. Though I can only imagine how it must feel to be a Gator. I'm aiming for that, so I guess in a couple of years I'll have the chance to sit and talk with you about how amazing it is to be a Gator haha.
Yes it is great to be a Florida Gator, for now. Just give it 2-3 years and watch when Tebow is on the bench for some NFL team and the Miami Hurricanes are destroying every "competitor" that is unfortunate enough to face up against the illustrious Miami Hurricane football team. But for now I will let all of the Gator fans bask in the glory and feel the feeling of being champions, I mean the Hurricanes have already done it 5 times and we are friendly so we will share the feeling. Congratulations Gator fans but sorry that you will never catch the 'Canes when it comes to National Championships.
I am not a Florida Gator (actually a Gator Hater), but I won't hate on the Gators achievements. Its nice that you talk about Tim Tebow, but as I said on my free write, he is highly overrated. That win should be attributed to Percy Harvin's amazing athletic ability and natural talent. He sparked the team's win with his 52 yard run and multiple other game changing plays. (UM 5, UF 3)
And I say to you, maam...real fans bleed scarlet and silver..enough said. I have a cousin currently in attendance at UF and she is constantly trying to talk me into heading up to Gainesville. However, my response has always been simply "Blue and Orange makes me nauseous. Plus, the fact that it's in Gainesville is really not convincing to me"
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