TRADITION

The synchronal chanting and ritualistic hand gestures concomitant with kindred attire of all attendees begs the question, “Is this a football watch party, or is it a chapter meeting of the Alpha Betas?” For in 2016, it is not just enough to root for one’s team or proudly don the school colors. One must fine tune every mannerism and tradition offered up by said institution to validate one’s unwavering loyalty.

A university’s fight song, alma mater and marching band do little to distinguish itself from any other—all actually seem to blend into one noise with only subtle variations in note patterns and lyrics. Sing along about “hallowed halls” or “gothic walls” with “faithful hearts that bleed (insert school colors of choice here)” and one has about any alma mater or fight song ever written. Hearing On Wisconsin after a while sounds no different than Hail to the Victors or even Ten Thousand Men of Harvard for that matter.

Observe any college football stadium on an autumn Saturday and you will see firsthand the myriad rituals and traditions meant to define each institution and undergird the commonality of its devotees. In the state of Florida, these rituals and traditions abound in no small measure.

With Gator Chomps and Tomahawk Chops, the fans of Florida’s institutions of higher learning have helped set a nationwide trend of turning to shadow puppetry as a means of school spirit identification. It all likely started over 80 years ago with Texas A&M’s “Gig ‘Em” gesture that resembles the hand motion of one trying to thumb a diesel down. Soon after, rival University of Texas instituted its own shadow puppetry of school spirit with its “Hook ‘Em Horns” gesture with index finger and pinky extended out to resemble a steer’s horns.

And in Florida, Gator fans cannot greet each other with a mere handshake—it must be a “chomp” with arms extended and hands clapping to resemble the mastication of an alligator. Nor does a simple ‘hello’ work for Seminole fans, who engage in the “chop,” which can best be described as a referee motioning for a first down or Hong Kong Phooey busting a 2-by-4.

These mannerisms enter the stadium every Saturday from September through November, and in the state of Florida, each school presents its own flavor and traditions that one must strive to become familiar with—else resign to outcast status.