by Michael Beniash
Daily Lobo
College football kicks into full swing this upcoming weekend as alumni, students and football fans begin to feel the vibe of the opening kick, the ambitious dreams of a perfect season, the culmination of school spirit, the thrill of thousands of screaming fans and yes, the tailgate parties.
Lobo home games are not complete without a day of tailgating. This tradition seems to be catching on in Lobo country as school spirit and parking lot parties have increased in size each year.
For those who have never attended, tailgating goes something like this:
Pre-game sights and sounds commence early as people of all ages scramble to claim their turf. The tents go up, the footballs fly and the scent of tantalizing barbecue permeates the scene. Music, laughter and festivities ensue as the fans prepare for kick-off.
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Football is quite possibly the most exciting sport in America and for the fans and players, the most rich in tradition. Universities that have a rich winning tradition such as Ohio State, Michigan and Florida to name a few, have one thing in common - loyal fan support that makes professional teams' support look minuscule.
At UNM, football is just catching on as a favorite sport among students and fans. As a matter of fact, the 2003 football season could be the "Year of the Lobo," the year that UNM football puts itself on the map.
"School spirit has definitely improved over the years since I've arrived," said senior offensive lineman Jason Lenzmeier. "When we weren't winning we had little fan support, but you can't blame the fans. Now we're winning and a lot more fans are showing up. They are tearing down the goal posts and are so excited. It is an awesome feeling."
If Lobo football is to have a breakout year, then so should the students. It is time to turn University football stadium into the outdoor Pit; "A mile high and louder than hell."
The student body should no longer wait to get excited about the Lobos until November when basketball season begins. They should be ready to show their spirit by the end of the first week of classes.
UNM begins its season this Saturday at 6 p.m. The students and fans will kick off the football season in the parking lot, barbecuing, throwing the football and gearing up to put fear into the opponents' eyes.
Tailgating provides students and fans from all walks of life to interact and bond. The parking lot is a place to enjoy beautiful Albuquerque afternoons. It is a place to mingle among friends, and a place to get ready for some hard-nosed football.
Personally, I cannot think of a better place to be than at University stadium this Saturday afternoon. The players hope to experience a real home field advantage. For once, I hope to experience a real home field advantage too.
