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From epic rivalries to time-honored rituals: 10 best college sports traditions
Best College Sports Tradition (2023)
Sports and rituals have long gone hand in hand, and many of the country's colleges have their own unique traditions both on and off the field. To settle the score on which tradition is the best, an expert panel nominated their top college sports traditions, then readers and fans voted for their favorites. Here are the top 10 winners.
- Script Ohio - Ohio State University
- Hawaii's Ha'a - The University of Hawaii
- Sea of Red - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- 'Shout' - University of Oregon
- Howard's Rock - Clemson University
- Ralphie's Run - University of Colorado
- Sooner Schooner - University of Oklahoma
- The Army-Navy Game
- 'Enter Sandman' - Virginia Tech
- 'Jump Around' - University of Wisconsin-Madison
Photo courtesy of Hero Images // Getty Images
No. 10:
Since 1936, the prestigious Ohio State Marching Band has been performing Script Ohio, where they spell out the letters of "Ohio" via a series of formations. The highlight of this tradition is "dotting the i," with a senior sousaphone player usually chosen to be the dot of the "i" in the formation. Sometimes, even famed non-band members with an affiliation to the university, like Bob Hope or Jack Nicklaus, have been invited to be the "i" dotter at this longstanding ritual.
Photo courtesy of Hawai'i Athletics
No. 9:
The Ha'a is a traditional dance and chant that the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors use to signify their readiness for game combat – and to rile up their fan base. With its roots in ancient Hawaiian practices, the Ha'a is led by island natives and it brings a special energy to team pride.
Photo courtesy of Nebraska Athletics
No. 8:
Nebraska's Memorial Stadium gets packed to the rafters for Cornhuskers games and has been nicknamed the "Sea of Red" because of the legions of faithful wearing school colors. The Cornhuskers have sold out every game since 1962, the longest streak in any college sport, and as many of their collectibles say, "There's no place like Nebraska!"
Photo courtesy of University of Oregon Athletics
No. 7:
The legendary 1978 film "Animal House" has an extra special meaning on the University of Oregon campus, as the movie was shot there and around Eugene. The Ducks football team has enshrined the film in university lore as fans now sing the movie's toga party song "Shout" between the third and fourth quarters of every home game, dancing wildly in the stands as well.
Photo courtesy of Blaze Watson, Clemson Athletics
No. 6:
Clemson is another university that joins the tradition of rubbing a sacred talisman for luck before each home game. Legendary coach Frank Howard was given a rock from Death Valley, which was then set on a pedestal at the top of the hill leading down to the field. Tigers have been taking part in the tradition of rubbing the Rock since 1967.
Photo courtesy of Casey Paul
No. 5:
Many school mascots are students or alumni dressed in costumes, but the University of Colorado features Ralphie, a live bison who is run by talented handlers around Folsom Field prior to each half of Buffalo home games. Watching Ralphie and her adept handlers is one of the more exhilarating and entertaining traditions in college football today.
Photo courtesy of OU Athletics
No. 4:
Oklahoma's Sooner Schooner is one of college football's most iconic mascots. First introduced in 1964, the Schooner is a replica of the old Studebaker Conestoga wagon that Oklahoma Territory pioneers used in the 1880s, and it's pulled by a pair of white ponies named Boomer and Sooner. The wagon makes its way onto the field after each Oklahoma score at home games.
Photo courtesy of Mike Hamlett / Army West Point Athletics
No. 3:
The Army Black Knights and Navy Midshipmen have been playing each other every year (minus five seasons) since 1890 and haven't missed a game since 1930. The rivalry is intense, with Navy holding a slight 62-54 edge. The games are often attended by U.S presidents, are nationally televised, and the cadets of both squads march in unison before the start of the match.
Photo courtesy of Virginia Tech Athletics
No. 2:
Metallica's metal anthem "Enter Sandman" gets played in a lot of sports arenas these days, but Virginia Tech's rendition is the most notorious and boisterous one. The tradition at Lane Stadium has been taking place since 2000, and as the Hokies come out of the tunnel and onto the field, they touch an "in reach of excellence"-inscribed piece of limestone for luck as the Metallica beat gets louder and louder, setting off a frenzy in the stadium.
Photo courtesy of Tom Lynn // Wisconsin Athletics
No. 1:
The song "Jump Around" by House of Pain has become a well-known rallying cry at sporting events, nowhere more so than at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Badgers play the song for their fans between the third and fourth quarter to fire them up. It's been said that the tradition first got its start when the university men's swim team smuggled a megaphone and Discman into a football game to help rile the student section. Years later, it's an unmistakable rallying cry.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
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Christopher Parr
Christopher Parr is the Founder and... Read More
Christopher Parr is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Pursuitist, one of the world’s most influential luxury lifestyle and travel guides. Named a "Top 10 Luxury Travel Blogger” by USA Today 10Best, Parr has also been selected as the official winner in Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ 2023 list of the “Top 50 Best Luxury Influencers and Bloggers in the World.” In addition to Pursuitist, Christopher is a contributor to numerous travel and luxury publications and TV shows, including being the host of Travel Tuesday on CBS. Follow along on Twitter.
Christopher Parr
Christopher Parr is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Pursuitist, one of the world’s most influential luxury lifestyle and travel guides. Named a "Top 10 Luxury Travel Blogger” by USA Today 10Best, Parr has also been selected as the official winner in Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ 2023 list of the “Top 50 Best Luxury Influencers and Bloggers in the World.” In addition to Pursuitist, Christopher is a contributor to numerous travel and luxury publications and TV shows, including being the host of Travel Tuesday on CBS. Follow along on Twitter.
Karon Warren
For more than 20 years, Karon Warren has traveled... Read More
For more than 20 years, Karon Warren has traveled the globe, searching for adventure, unique personalities and a new perspective on the world. Whenever possible, she brings along her husband and two children, ages 18 and 14. Karon has been published in a variety of media, including FamilyVacationCritic.com, USA Today, Best Life's Travelicious, CruiseCritic.com, Trivago, and AAA Carolina's GO. Karon also is the author of "100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains Before You Die." Karon lives in North Georgia with her family, where they enjoy such outdoor recreation as hiking and geocaching.
Karon Warren
For more than 20 years, Karon Warren has traveled the globe, searching for adventure, unique personalities and a new perspective on the world. Whenever possible, she brings along her husband and two children, ages 18 and 14. Karon has been published in a variety of media, including FamilyVacationCritic.com, USA Today, Best Life's Travelicious, CruiseCritic.com, Trivago, and AAA Carolina's GO. Karon also is the author of "100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains Before You Die." Karon lives in North Georgia with her family, where they enjoy such outdoor recreation as hiking and geocaching.
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USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
