Big game - it's kind of a big deal (Part 2)

Two nights before big game, it was time for the traditional PEP RALLY. This is basically where all the members of the football team come to a temporary stage at night, say a few words of inspiration to the crowd, and generally get psyched up to win. For those of you who've seen the 'You can do it!' scene from Waterboy (ah ... what a movie), that summarises the reality fairly well.

But first up, the set up was absolutely gorgeous. They took the hoover tower, the tallest point on campus (some 100 metres into the air i think!) and lit it up our school colours, decorating it with stage and posters ...



There were HEAPS of people there (admittedly mostly undergraduates ... but this was the bachelor's college experience I never had!)



After much shouting and pumping music, the college football players came on, to get on the microphone and say some tough words.



They weren't that inspirational - in fact, this was cheesy American at its finest. Here are some of my favourite quotes:

'I had a dream last night! [cheers] And it was that, it was the big game! [more cheers]And I dreamt that we beat CAL by 2 touchdowns!! [crazy cheering] But then I knew it was a dream ... [quasi-silence] because we're going to beat them by much more than that! [uncontrolled cheering]

'Cal is poo!' [cheers]

It was then time to bring on our war cry leaders and our mascot, the dancing tree. There were some appalling warcries:

'Who sucks? - Cal sucks!'

And our newest warcry: 'Leland ... Stanford ... Junior ... University ... Established ... 1891 ... yay!'



Before I wanted it all to end, it was over. At least, however, like all good events, there were free pretzels and churros to celebrate with ...