Just
because I had witnessed a great game two weeks ago did not mean that
college football was a significant part of my life yet.It took time.I remember this gloomy day in Madison as one where I learned
a very important rule in college football – no overtime.With the game tied at 16 and Wisconsin’s
field goal kicker setting up for the winning kick, I asked my father, “What
happens if he misses?”When he
replied that the game simply results in a tie, I was filled with anger from
three sources –
How ridiculous to spend
all this time and not have a definite outcome.
Now that I know this
rule, I am all nervous and want to see a celebration like the one
versus Ohio State two weeks ago.
Why am I caring so
much?How did this
evolve?What happened to the
little boy that wanted to spend the second half of his first ever
Badger game in the parking lot?
Well,
all the anger turned to relief when the lengthy kick was made and Wisconsin
won by three.Suddenly, Saturday
afternoons in Madison slowly were becoming an anticipated event rather than
a dreaded tag-along with my family.While the actual games were exciting, I began to take more notice of
the bands, pageantry, wild crowds, and tradition-rich atmosphere that make
college football so unique.My
interest had surged a bit and I found myself humming “On Wisconsin”
repeatedly on the ride home.
