By Pete Thunell
Pit@newsroom.byu.edu
As much a part of the football game as going on the field, the pre-game ritual is something that, for many, defines the college football experience.
BYU football fans are no different, with each fan having his or her own unique idea on what has to be done to get ready for the game.
To get into the spirit of the game, Scott Brown, 22, a junior majoring in accounting from San Diego, said he and his friends hit the field.
'Before the games, my friends and I go out to the field and play a football game ourselves,' Brown said. 'We then go to the stadium parking lot and barbecue. It helps us get excited for the game.'
Other students prefer to spend their pre-game time psyching out the opponent's fans.
Scott Mitchell, 22, a senior majoring in economics from Anaheim, Calif., said he and his friends set a couch out in front of the stadium, so they can catch all of the opponent's fans on their way into the stadium.
'We like to haze them by reminding them of their losses, and the times that we've beaten them,' Mitchell said.
Other rituals are a little more time consuming.
'Before the games we watch the highlights of the 'Miracle Bowl', the 1980 Holiday Bowl, and the game when Ty Detmer beat Miami,' said Dave Norton, 24, a senior majoring in sociology from Orem. 'Then we sing the fight song and parade to the game in our cars.'
Vance Taylor, 22, a senior majoring in communications studies from Petaluma, Calif., has a ritual that also includes focusing on the opponent.
'We call the other team's bookstore and order one of their banners,' Taylor said. 'Then we burn it before the game while singing the fight song.'
Taylor also has locked in on his game-day attire.
'My friends and I wear the same clothes to every game,' Taylor said. 'We also make sure not to wash them.'
When it comes to attire, though, Brandon Lee, 24, a senior majoring in accounting from Idaho Falls, Idaho, is already an award winner.
'In eighth grade I won second place at a BYU game for the most Cougar paraphernalia on your body,' Lee said. 'I didn't even know that there was a contest, and I still wore 32 different Cougar things. These days, though, I just wear the shirt and a mop wig.'
For others, game-day attire is a 'less is more' affair. Johny Wudel, 21, a sophomore majoring in marketing from Mesa, Ariz., remembers fondly his pre-game ritual during his freshman year.
'All of us guys would shave our chests and then paint them,' Wudel said. 'This wasn't a laughing matter, though. We would all get serious and into it.'
Some pre-game rituals are almost too complicated to explain. Pre-game, homegrown cheers are the specialty of Paige McKinnon, 20, a senior majoring in history teaching from Austin, Texas.
'My friends Kara Halstrom and Darla Weed and I do this cheer before the games where I say 'The Cougars are what?' and they say 'Red hot.' Then I say 'spell it out' and they chant 'R-E-D H-O-T.' Then we put our hands in the middle, roll it, yell 'Cougars!' on three and punch it,' McKinnon said.
Some students are excited to start their own traditions this year.
'I'm going to paint my full face to show school spirit,' said Jennie Lister, 18, a freshman majoring in vocal performance, from Las Vegas. 'I went to a high school that didn't have sports, so I can't wait to see it all.'