Sami CrouchHaving been students at the University for over two weeks, we are already somewhat accustomed to the people and atmosphere surrounding us. Our comfortability with studies, classes, and social behavior is continually growing and new situations are constantly shaping our view of “college”.
As we stepped out of Sage Point 810 on Thursday morning, the aura about us had subtly changed from the day before. Lower campus had utterly transformed. There was not a single person on the shuttles or in the streets that did not contain a sense of anxiety in their step, nor anyone whose conversation did not encompass “the game”.
6:00 p.m. arrived and our group started for the stadium. We could hear the pump-up music blazing from the speakers and the smell of treats seeping through our nostrils from blocks away. Upon arriving at the entrance gates we were flooded by a sea of pure red. Aside from the occasional sorority group of girls with their “Pi Phi is the new black” tops, the entire crowd were showing their “Utah” and “MUSS” shirts.
Game time - It was as if the MUSS had been preparing for these few hours for the better part of their lives. Timidness and benevolence were abandoned at the door; roaring pride and vigor were alive instead. The mood within the stands was so easily altered: a first down for the Utes generated screams of excitement, a touchdown for Pittsburgh produced thousands of middle fingers waving through the air (as seen left), and third downs were accompanied with a stampede of jumping feet. However, the thing that was most apparent to us most was the incredible sense of unity. Not only was the stadium filled with this incredible amount of hope, but the fact that through each small victory and defeat - everyone was in it together. For three hours there weren't any worries or stress infesting our minds, nor any judgmental feelings toward one another, only determination and eagerness to fight, to win, as an entire body.
As expected, joy and happiness swarmed campus following the game. Victory parties were already taking place and smiles were upon all of our faces. Our experience at Rice-Eccles was unlike any other, and reshaped our perspective of the University of Utah once again.
I didn't get to go to the game, but watched this play out from another vantage point--the city. Light rail was filled with men and women, children and families dressed in red from head to toe. Red cars with red flags honked their horns incessantly traveling in both directions. Traffic jams and incredible bottle necks in our impossibly narrow arteries leading toward and away from campus. The game creates a sort of unity to be sure among students but also in the city. I have to believe alums are a part of this, but thousands of "others" who didn't go to the u or college are die-hard fans who scream and cheer and care about the outcome of games as if it were their own welfare at stake. Sorry about the entrance fee to this "public" event, but its a great experience in mob behavior and crowd mentality. The Rice Eccles stadium is a backdrop to it all that ends up being pretty neutral at the end of the day.
ReplyDelete