My non-roommate, Kate, the one who pays rent but doesn't live here, felt so bad about her late check that she gave me two free tickets to tonight's Gopher hockey game. As a U of M student, I was glad to do my part to cheer for the ole' maroon and gold. I had a great time, but felt more like an anthropologist studying the rituals of another culture than a student and fan.
First of all, everyone, really everyone, except me and a two-year old girl in a pink tutu was wearing the team colors. Secondly, I don't know the words to the Rouser and when I did try to chime in on the one easy part, I spelled Minnesota wrong. It has two Ns, you see. Next, there were the chanting patterns. After certain musical cues or announcements the crowd would answer in unison. And each time I would turn to Dave with the same question: What did they say? By the third period he was repeating himself. And still I asked. Finally, I'm just not cut out for viewing violent sports. The fights, name calling from the fans, and chanting of "You Suck" all elicited the same mumble from me: "Well. That's just not appropriate." But the thing is, for a hockey game, it was appropriate. The only thing out of place, it turns out, was me.
5 comments:
Hockey, hats off to thee ... Oh how I love hockey. Brings me back to my roots! You see, I never had to understand the sport - as long as I knew all the cheers and retorts, I was as good a fan as any!
Of course, bdoc, we went to a school that if you didn't go to the hockey games and/or cheer them on, they might have kicked us out! I hope you had fun at the game jdoc.
I think I'm at a school like that now -- although the pressure is off a little to attend the games when you are a graduate student. Plus, I'm pretty sure the whole season is sold out. While it's in my nature to feel bad for people (that poor goalie from the Canada side), I'm also terribly competitive (as the two of you can attest to) and I could easily get drawn into the hockey game rituals. I'm no sissy, after all.
I'm sure you are at a school like that too since your school is our old school's number #1 rival! Maybe you should see if there are any tickets available for Jan. 26-27 games, that is when they will be playing each other in MN.
I grew up in a non-hockey state. So glad my 5 year old HATES (his term) ice skating.
Post a Comment