Football Season - who’s in? Off the music Topic… or IS IT?

[WillCoop]

@BanjoBen,

You are describing what I think of “School Spirit” and support for your Alma Mater, yes?

I got my Masters from a private University that doesn’t participate in NCAA Football… but my late godfather was an alum of Michigan… and so… grew up a fan all my life… so I 100% agree with the family memories thing. We went to many a game together… and watched on TV when we couldn’t go.

My Godmother’s hand-made salsa… and Saturdays snacking during a tense game… but NOBODY ever got violent - no matter of the result

THAT is special… to be there through wins and losses… but with perspective that this doesn’t frame the importance of our lives.

They only compliment… our lives

But oh… that glorious cool, autumn day, at the BIG HOUSE among 110,000 people, 3rd Row behind the Michigan bench… 4th down and forever from the Norte Dame 25 yard line… a pass for it all… to the goal line where Desmond Howard dove to make THAT catch… securing a win at the start of his Heisman Trophy year… will live in my memory FOREVER! So blessed to take my Godfather and cousin!

Later that same year (so many years ago), I was there that last game against our biggest rivals… the mighty Ohio State Buckeyes where Howard did “the Heisman pose” after returning a punt for a touchdown at the start of the 2nd half, securing victory once more - seeing history in the making. The band, the fans and the emotion. That highlight is still shown all these years later.

One magical year… etched in my memory forever.

[Archie]

Hi @WillCoop to understand why there is such a difference you have to look back in history.

Rugby as you say is considered a ‘Gentleman’s Sport’ and has it’s origins in the Public School system. Just to confuse you still further. Here in the UK Public School isn’t a public school (i.e. isn’t public funded although I do believe they do receive some funding from the taxpayer). Public School is in fact a private fee-paying secondary school, especially one for boarders. Hence the reason for the title ‘Gentleman’s Sport’

Football (Soccer) has it’s origins in the working classes, if you could kick something, like a can or a turnip or a tennis ball you were playing football, two sweaters for goal posts and away you would go. There was no formal training. Back then there were few TVs so Saturday for the working man was a couple of pints of beer and a game of football. Professional Football ( a working man after a hard weeks work in the factory or down the pit earning an extra shilling for playing on the park) attracted millions of supporters and whilst there was much rivalry back in the 1900’s little violence. What changed I here you ask. Money, Religion and WW1 I’ll spare you the details. I think in the 60’s big changes were afoot. Big business moved into football buying up clubs. What had been a spectator owned sport was now all about profit margins and balance sheets.

American Football puzzles me. For a start, all that padding. I see it as a game of toss & catch, you guy’s don’t kick the ball very often do you?

Aussie Football - I won’t even go there.

I do believe Football & Rugby have there origins in Africa or Asia and was a custom of the cannibal tribes to play sport with their victims head after dinner which of course was washed down with some fermented fruit juice. So alcoholic beverage goes hand in hand even in the ‘Gentleman’s Game’ where violence does occur only it’s referred to as horse play.

On a Final Note (no pun intended) Rugby isn’t an English game although many Americans think it so. It’s played in Scotland, Ireland and Wales. The Welsh producing many world class players. Many other European, African & Australasian countries have excellent teams.

[Butch]

@WillCoop, I like your idea. There’s no way I could work up a recognizable tune that anyone but me would know but would be fun to try. Especially since both my high school and favorite college songs are one in the same. I won’t say which “in case I post” hint though, they just left the Pac 12 for the Big 1O.

[WillCoop]

@Butch,

Well, as a Michigan fan, I welcome your team to the Big10!

So as you said your team JUST left, that narrows it down to Washington or Oregon - since USC and UCLA was announced last year.

If you are willing to share but don’t want to post, send to my email: mdgri3@gmail.com

Let me be clear… I do not say this to boast that I think the additional teams will be “easy victories”… or that Michigan will dominate…

Quite to the contrary, I think that the new teams are all good and the competition will be intensely fierce.

Frankly, there are many over here that are not too happy with the Big10 expansions as it has become a HUGE Confidence… but I rather embrace it and look forward to playing the ex-PAC10 teams…

I just mean that if the PAC10 was to fold anyway… I am excited that these teams will come to the BIG10.

I have no idea how the structuring of divisions or schedules will work… but it will definitely be INTENSE!

[Butch]

Will do. Oregon it is, yes. I live in Oregon but from southern Indiana. Ironically both our high school and college colors are the same too. Glad to hear you’re cool with the transition also. I’ll definitely let you know if I do something. Thanks for the email link!