Top Southern Traditions

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The South's Best Traditions

Part of what makes college football so special in the south are the unique cheers, events, fans, and atmospheres each Saturday. Here's a list of the best the South has to offer

1. Rocky Top-There isn't a song in the South that defines college football more than Rocky Top. Whether its the Pride of The Southland playing the song or Lynn Anderson's version, you will always hear this song when the Vols are playing. Adopted as the Tennessee State Song in 1982, Rocky Top is loved by Vol fans, but hated by everyone they play

2. FSU's War Chant-The FSU Warchant is traced back to the 1984 season in a game against Auburn. The school's marching band known as the "Marching Chiefs" started the cheer and the student section joined in. By 1985 it had become a chant at all games by the students and by 1986 it caught on with other fans and became a stadium wide event. Some may credit the Atlanta Braves with the chant, but that's not true. The Braves' version actually started at a spring game in the early 90s. Former FSU player Deion Sanders was at bat and a group of FSU/Braves fans started doing the chant. It caught on and during the Braves' first World Series run it gained fame. Still, it was the Seminoles that started the cheer.

3. Howard's Rock-Prior to each Clemson Tiger football game the most exciting 25 seconds in college football occurs. The Tiger's run down a hill through the student section and touch a rock given to the University by the school's most known coach Frank Howard. The Rock is actually from Death Valley, California and has been on The Hill since 1966. Prior to a game against Virginia, Frank Howard told his players "Give me 110% or keep your filthy hands off my rock" Prior to every Clemson-South Carolina football game the Clemson Army ROTC protects the rock for 24 hours prior to kickoff by beating trash cans due to an attempt by Gamecock students to steal the rock in 1992

4. The War Hymn-Few would argue that the "Yells" heard at Kyle Field are like no other in sports. The War Hymn has been a part of A&M since the 1920s. The song was written by J.V. "Pinky" Wilson, a former A&M student, while he was standing on guard by the Rhine during World War I. Following the War Hymn is "Saw Varsity's Horns Off" in which fans rock back and forth shaking the stadium.

5. We Are the Boys From Old Florida-This song is sung by Gator fans as the end of the 3rd quarter of all home and away games for Florida. Gator fans lock arms and sway back and forth during the song. Many players have said that seeing this at "The Swamp" will make them sick to the stomach. The song was originally a dance song adopted by UF in the 1920s

6. The Eyes of Texas-The alma mater of the University of Texas is sung to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad". The song is heard at sporting events, graduation, and even funerals. At the end of the song Texas fans hold up the "Hookem Horns hand sign"

7. Saturday Night in Death Valley-There isn't another atmosphere like a night game at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. Leading up to gameday, tailgating will often start early in the week. The smell of Cajun cooking fills the air on campus and the yell "Tiger Bait" is directed at any fan of an opposing team. Mike the Tiger, The Golden Girls, the LSU band, the white jerseys, and the eye at midfield prepare you for the game that's coming. Once the band strikes the first note in the pregame the crowd turns crazy. Bear Bryant once said "Baton Rouge happens to be the worst place in the world for a visiting team. It's like being inside a drum"

8. Enter Sandman-The best entrance in college football happens in Blacksburg, Virginia. The opening notes of the Metallica song "Enter Sandman" are heard prior to each Hokie entrance. The crowd jumps up and down as Lane Stadium goes wild. Then out comes the Hokies carrying an American Flag.

9. The Arkansas Hog Call-The most unique cheer in college sports is heard in the Ozarks of Northwest Arkansas. While there is no true origin behind the cheer, historians claim it was started sometime back in the 1920s. When first heard it will suprise an opposing teams fans as many have no idea what they are hearing. The cheer is as follows

Woo Pig Sooie

Woo Pig Sooie Razorbacks!

10. Ramlin' Wreck-The Wreck is a 1930 Ford Model A Sports coupe and it is the symbol of spirit and tradition on the Georgia Tech campus. Since 1961 the Wreck has led the Yellow Jackets onto the field and on a couple of occasions has been kidnapped by Georgia students and even was given a new paint job by the University of Tennesee

11. 2001 Entrance-Since 1983 the University of South Carolina has entered the stadium to "2001" Popularized by the late coach Joe Morrison(The Man in Black), 2001 took its fame in the 80s during the black magic season of 84, USC's best season ever. At times Williams Brice Stadium would sway during the entrance which led to the saying "If it ain't swaying, we ain't playing" The entrance has been featured numerous times by ESPN and other sports TV outlets

12. Toomer's Corner-At the corner of an old pharmacy store is a place known by all Auburn fans. After each victory by the Tigers fans will go to Toomer's Corner and toilet paper the campus. As many as 40-50,000 fans have been known to attend the post game celebration.

13. Rammer Jammer Cheer-This is the Alabama Crimson Tide victory cheer. There is nothing to worse than losing to Bama in Bryant Denny and then being told you just had the hell beat out of you. The cheer has come under fire in the past for its taunting nature, but in a 2005 homecoming vote 98% of students chose to keep the cheer.

14. The Good Old Song-This is Virginia's most well known song. After each TD fans stand, link arms, and sway to the tune of Auld Lang Syne(the New Year's Song). Here's the words "That good ole' song of Wahoo-wah, We'll sing it o'er and o'er, it cheers our hearts and warms our blood to hear them shout and roar. We come from old Virginia, where all is bright and gay. Let's all join hands and give a yell for dear old UVa. Wahoo-wah, wahoo-wah, Uni-v Virginia, hoo-rah-ray, hoo-rah-ray, ray! ray! U-Va!

15. Cowbells-While the SEC banned noise makers years ago, MSU still brings the cowbells in the stands at Davis Wade Stadium. The story behind the cowbells is that in the 30s during a game with Ole Miss a cow wandered onto the playing field. MSU whipped Ole Miss this day and the cowbells have been seen as a good luck charm ever since. Each fan creates their own unique cowbell filled with MSU logos and other spirit symbols.

16. The Grove-Tailgating at the Grove is unmatched in American Sports. The Grove is 10 acres of thick oak, elm, and magnolia and offers a true southern tailgate. Women come dressed in dresses and men in ties as they tailgate in tents. Cars have been banned from the area since 1990 when a rainstorm ruined the Grove. Not only will you see parties in the Grove, but you'll also witness the Band playing "Dixie", the Rebel Walk, cheers of "Hotty Toddy", and maybe an appearance by Col Reb

17. Keenland-If you are ever in Kentucky on an October weekend you have to stop in Lexington. Not only will you get a great SEC football game, but prior to it you can head to Keenland Racetrack. Keenland is a thoroughbred horce racing facility that offers plenty of great drinks, food, horse betting, and of course the women in their sunday's best. After the races are over its time to head over to Commonwealth for some Football in the Bluegrass

18. The M.O.B.-The Marching Owl Band of Rice makes the list due to its creativity. The Rice band is one of only a few "Scatter Bands" left in college athletics. The band doesn't march and some members don't even play insturments. The band is best known for its crazy antics during performances that often poke fun at rivals. In 2007 the Rice Band made fun of Texas Longhorn players by having 3 band members dress as Longhorn players and having other band members chase them carrying cardboard police cars while the theme to Dragnet played.

19. Larry Munson-The Voice of the Georgia Bulldogs is someone that you must listen to if ever in Athens. The 85 year old has been calling Georgia games for four decades now, but unfortunately has plans to only call home games from now on. Munson has no problem showing his love for the Dogs and often refers to the team as "We" During a call of a Lindsay Scott touchdown Munson got so carried away he actually broke his chair and had no problem telling fans on air that he did just that. This famous call against Florida in 1980 is seen on many Georgia t-shirts

20. Texas Sign Language-By the simple movement of ones fingers in Texas folks know what fanbase you are from. The Horns have "Hookem", Aggies have Gigem', Houston pays tribute to its Cougar's injured paw, Baylor forms a Bear claw, Texas Tech salutes with a Guns up. TCU, Rice, and SMU also have hand signals. In the days of the Southwest Conference Arkansas was the only member without a true hand signal, but it would leave in 91 sending a finger gesture of its own to the Texas schools.

21. Leonard's Losers-Unfortunately this show lost its original host Leonard Postero in 1999. The show was full of fun predictions by Leonard who would refer to teams with creative nicknames. For instance Georgia might be known as the Pack of Drool Dogs or Red Clay Hounds . The show was broadcasted over over 1400 radio stations. "Get Me out of Here Percy"

22. Raycom/Lincoln Financial/Jefferson Pilot Sports-Call it what you want, but the games shown by the 3 Daves each week cause complaining throughout the Southeast. The broadcasts get negative publicity due to poor quality and early start times(11:30 CST). Still, the broadcasts have given us classics such as the Bluegrass Miracle.

23. Vandy's Foghorn-After each score at Vanderbilt Stadium be prepared to hear a Foghorn. The Foghorn was donated to Vandy in 1993 and has been used since. It is said that when the Foghorn is sounded that all of West Nashville can hear it

24. Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime-These are the words the Southern Miss Football program lives proudly by. The best Non BCS program in the South over the past few decades has pulled many road upsets in their tradition rich past. An 82 win over Bear Bryant, 04 win in Lincoln, and a 89 win over FSU are some of the big road wins USM has.

25. UNC-Duke Victory Bell-Since a 20-0 win in 1948 by the UNC Tarheels the Victory Bell has been one of the South's top rivalry trophies. The schools only 10 miles apart have recently began to paint the bell the color of the winning school's colors.

Matt Barber
DixieFriedSports@gmail.com