Nothing can prepare you for your first Husker game. Nothing.
This past weekend, some friends had an extra ticket to the Husker game. I obviously jumped with excitement as I told them I would LOVE to go! Going to a game has been on my list of things to do, and just hadn't gotten around to it. Upon hearing the news, the co-workers were jealous and felt the need to prep me, excite me, and get me all primed for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. But living here for almost a year, seeing games on t.v., watching this state's obsession, non of it, could have prepared me for what took place.
It was an 11AM game, so we got the move on early in the morning, in anticipation of major traffic and difficulty parking. I of coarse sported my all-too-necessary Husker shirt and hat, because to wear anything else would be blasphemy and most likely draw an unwanted scene. We parked and walked. When I say that all you can see in every direction is red, it is not an exaggeration. Literally everywhere. Seas and seas of red. The stadium holds an ongoing NCAA-record 306 consecutive sellouts, which began in 1962, and the second runner up is no where close. When full, Memorial Stadium holds about 80,000 people, which is more people than any Nebraska city except Omaha and Lincoln. But many more than the allotted ticket holders join the crowd to tail gate and watch on big screens outside. Even parking close to the entrances is only sold to a special select few, who get the honor and privilege to tail gate so close. Each of these cars is required by law to be; red, have Husker flags either panted or hanging, be in perfect condition, and sporting Husker fever loud and proud. Lounge chairs, massive t.v.'s, impressive bbq's, huge tables with spreads of food all adorn this sacred area.
Now, since it's impossible to just walk up to the ticket counter and buy tickets (since tickets are sold out years in advance) you have to have season tickets in your family for years, or you have to know someone who does. I am in the latter category. Our tickets were six rows up, at the 40 yard line (I'm told that you have to donate a mandatory amount to the school on top of the ticket price to even get seats this good!). Spectacular seats. I'm really not a huge football fanatic (don't tell anyone here that though!) but what I experienced on that field that day, changed me.
The band, cheerleaders, baton twirlers, and the like, put on an impressive pre-game show. Then, the tunnel walk, also known as the goose-bump enticer. As the players get ready to come out of the back, a patriotic and adrenaline boosting video is played with music that makes you believe you yourself could go out and battle the other team. The players rush onto the field and the game begins. The weather was beautiful and sunny, as we were packed into that red stadium. The crowd goes through the rhythm of chats and calls, all consisting of an enormous amount of clapping. And the noise level never goes down. Never. Even the energy is loud. I've been told that you don't find this type of energy anywhere else but in college football. A mother and her 6 year-old daughter sat behind me and cheered as if their life depended on it. The mother shouted out suggestions to the players. The daughter was frustrated with plays. And I realized in that moment, that children are literally bred into this frenzy. She knew more about football and the Huskers than I will probably ever know! And in that moment, you are convinced that the whole country is rooting behind you and watching this game. It's hard to believe that many people in the U.S. have never even heard of the mighty Huskers!
I wondered if the real reason why people in this state are Husker fans is due to the commradery of it all. The chance to band together and root for the same thing. To unify under something so dear and yet so simple. It's a feeling unparalleled, cheering with 80,000 other people for a single team. Cheering with people who you most likely don't see eye to eye on other major issues, but in football, you are united. It's overpowering and almost addicting. I felt that I missed out on attending a school like this to join ranks with fellow students behind the almighty football team.
The opposing team put up a fight, but didn't quite stand a chance. An impressive battle ensued, and the crowd was pleased. If they don't win, the whole town goes dark, quiet, and depressed. Luckily they won, and the town kept its spirits high. But let's be real; people come here to do more than just watch a football game. In some ways, it seems secondary. I had many moments of culture shock. The wheels were turning like crazy in my head the whole time. I was trying to understand and put it all together! And as I walked away from the stadium that day, I felt like a Husker. I was also told that now that I've been to a Husker game, my blood bleeds red. Good thing, cuz I'd be worried if it didn't!
