College Football Traditions in the SEC (3/5) 

They say football “just means more” in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). This bold statement – made by none other than the SEC themselves – is of course, highly debatable. But while fans and teams from other conferences may disagree with those sentiments, most can agree that it is the deep-rooted rivalries and decades-long traditions that make college football more than just something fun to do on Saturdays in the fall. And while there are literally hundreds of traditions that belong to colleges and universities around the country, some of the most famous traditions belong to schools in the SEC.  

From pregame festivities, such as tailgating and unique team entrances, to game-time rituals and post-game celebrations, no matter where you go, every school has unique traditions that are almost as important as the actual football game itself. Cherished by fans year after year, these traditions mean more than numbers on a scoreboard – they are part of the overall experience that makes college football so special. From Between the Hedges to Toomer’s Corner to The Grove, here are some of the traditions that will be on full display this fall at an SEC football game near you.  

• Roll Tide, Rammer Jammer and Yellow Hammers: The University of Alabama’s “Roll Tide” is among the most well-known phrases in college football. It functions as a celebratory exclamation, a warm greeting, an acknowledgment akin to the friendly nod of the head and a connection to other Bama fans around the world. In addition to “Roll Tide,” no Alabama game is complete without taunting their opponents with the famous Rammer Jammer chant, especially rival Auburn, or a sip of at least one signature Yellow Hammer cocktail from Gallettes.   
  
   
• The Swamp and Gator Chomp: The University of Florida’s football stadium, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, is often referred to as “The Swamp.” This nickname was coined in the 1990s by the then Gators coach, Steve Spurrier. He considered it a hostile environment for traveling teams, just like the actual alligator habitat is for people. That said, the stadium in Gainesville has a swampy feel to it, regardless of Florida’s humidity and temperatures. Another tradition that fans love to engage in is the famous “Gator Chomp.” It is performed by extending your right arm over your left and moving your arms up and down like alligators while chanting “Gator Bait.” 
  
   
• Dawg Walk and Between the Hedges: The “Dawg Walk” is a game day tradition at the University of Georgia where the football team, coaches and staff walk through a throng of cheering fans as they make their way to Sanford Stadium to play” Between the Hedges.” Covering about 5,000 square feet around the playing field, the famous hedges have survived disease, winter weather and more than one move. Talk about tradition, teams have been playing “Between the Hedges” for almost 100 years, and that tradition keeps growing – both figuratively and literally.  
  
   
• Rocky Top and The Vol Navy: The University of Tennessee’s fight song, “Rocky Top,” is a beloved tune played frequently during games – much to the opposing teams’ chagrin. Fans proudly sing along to the catchy lyrics and create a sea of orange and white in the stands of Neyland Stadium. Just behind the stadium flows the Tennessee River. One of the greatest sights and traditions in all of college football is the Vol Navy – 200-plus boats lined up along the river just outside Neyland Stadium. Boaters from across the state dock just outside the stadium and tailgate on the water for hours before and after Tennessee home games.  
  
   
• Hotty Toddy and The Grove: The University of Mississippi’s rallying cry, “Hotty Toddy,” is a popular cheer. For students, fans and alumni, it is a greeting, cheer and secret handshake all rolled into one. If you have never heard the Hotty Toddy chant before the game, you will know it by heart after an hour in The Grove. It’s the only appropriate response to “Are you ready?!” Speaking of The Grove, Vaught-Hemingway stadium may house the main event on game day, but the action begins and ends at The Grove – Ole Miss’ ultimate tailgate destination. You’ll marvel at the chandeliers, antique silver platters and flat screen TVs glowing under otherwise unassuming tailgate tents. And remember, this is not your T-shirt-and-jeans crowd. Ole Miss fans have been known to dress to the nines. To play it safe, dress for a night out on the town. 
  
   
• War Eagle Flight and Rolling Toomer’s Corner: Along with the “War Eagle” battle cry that rivals Alabama’s “Roll Tide,” Auburn University tradition includes the release of an actual eagle, known as “The War Eagle,” during pregame ceremonies. It soars majestically around the stadium before ultimately landing on the 50-yard line. It is truly one of the most breathtaking spectacles in all of college sports. The Auburn Tigers also happen to have one of the top post-game traditions as well. Following all Auburn wins, fans gather at the famous Toomer’s Corner to “roll” the iconic oak trees with toilet paper. A blizzard of paper is left blanketing the entire intersection. And here’s a fun side note: Auburn is the only city in the country with a line item in its budget for removing toilet tissue! 
  
   
• Midnight Yell Practice and Aggie Bonfire: Texas A&M is famous for its Midnight Yell Practice before home games. Thousands of Aggies gather to practice yells and cheers at midnight the night before a game, creating a unique and passionate atmosphere. In addition, Texas A&M has the Aggie Bonfire. While not held every year due to safety concerns, it is a historically significant tradition at Texas A&M. It involves the construction of a massive bonfire before the annual game against the University of Texas, symbolizing the desire to beat their rival. 
  
   
• Tiger Walk and Tiger Mike: Before home games, the  Louisiana State University Tigers football team participates in the “Tiger Walk,” where they walk down Victory Hill and through a crowd of excited fans to the stadium – known as Death Valley. The team is accompanied by the sounds of the Golden Band from Tigerland. And if you happen to be on campus, be sure to visit LSU’s live mascot, Mike the Tiger (Mike VII), in his state-of-the-art habitat. Go say hello and give him a game-day salute before kick off. You may even catch him going for a swim when passing by, which is rumored among LSU students to be good luck! 
  
   
• Ringing the Cowbells: Mississippi State fans are famous for ringing cowbells during games. The “Cowbell Yell” is a cherished tradition that adds a unique and deafening element to their home games (some even make their way into away games as well). According to legend, this tradition began after a cow wandered onto the playing field during a football game between State and arch-rival, University of Mississippi. After State won the game, the cow became a good luck charm, and students began bringing cows to football games until it was discontinued in favor of just the cow’s bell.  
  
   
• Sandstorm: The University of South Carolina’s “Sandstorm” is an instrumental piece that was originally released in the late 1990s. It was played during the South Carolina-Ole Miss game in 2009 and was instantly embraced by the student body. Since then, it has been incorporated into football opening game festivities, is heard after football scores and is used at other sports venues as a rally cry for fans and players alike. A sequence of up and down motions are executed in unison as the music starts, and these ultimately culminate in a flurry of waving white towels and chants of “USC”as the song progresses.  
  
   
• Cat Walk: Similar to the Dawg Walk and Tiger Walk, the University of Kentucky Wildcats have the Cat Walk, which is a path between Nutter Field House – where the team bus arrives – and the stadium, a distance of approximately 200 yards total. Fans line up along the Cat Walk route, and the team walks to the stadium from the bus among the cheers and accolades of the fans. 
  
   
• Rock M: The traditional block “M,” carved from stone by the freshman class in 1927, guards the University of Missouri’s stadium’s north endzone and gives Memorial Stadium one of the more unique landmarks around the country. The “M,” formed by whitewashed rocks, stands 90-feet wide and 95-feet high. 
  
   
• Raising Victory Flag: Following each Vanderbilt University football team victory, a solid black flag with the Vanderbilt Athletics mark is hoisted above the west side of the Commodore’s Stadium, where it remains for seven days. This tradition began in 2004, and today, students and fans alike know to look for the victory flag after every conquest.  
  
   
• Calling of the Hogs: University of Arkansas Razorback fans have been “Calling the Hogs” since the 1920s. It is said to have begun when a group of farmers attending a game began issuing hog calls to encourage a lagging Razorback football team. The encouragement worked, and the attending crowd took notice of the farmers’ calling. By the next game, a group of men had organized to cry “Wooo, Pig, Sooie.” Since then, this rallying cry has grown to become the school yell that unites Arkansas fans everywhere. 

A Few New Listings this Week