Gameday cheat sheet: Getting a passing grade in the student section at Badgers games
In a sea of red, your Michigan State sweatshirt will really stand out.
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For those starting their first year at UW, the first true day of instruction will be Saturday, Sept. 11—the first of the seven Badger Saturdays that will wash over Camp Randall and the surrounding neighborhoods in a tidal wave of beer, grilled food, and red and white face paint. The first day can be a bit overwhelming, so The A.V. Club has put together a crib sheet for student-section newbies, tips that will help you participate in the grand traditions of Badger football without outing yourself as a freshman in front of all your classmates.
Dress Code
Pass: When it comes to getting dressed the morning of the game, plan for changing weather conditions. The first games in September move from cool to hot as the afternoon heat settles in; by the last game, you may need an ice scraper to pry your shoes off of the frosted metal bleachers. Dress in layers that will protect from the cold and allow for adapting to increasing warmth from the sun and jumping around later in the game. Also bring some shades for day games, unless you’re an avid squinter.
Fail: Whatever makes up your outfit, make sure Badger red dominates the ensemble. That’s cardinal red, not burgundy, maroon, or sangria, unless you want to risk being called out as a Buckeyes fan in enemy territory. Wearing the opposing team colors is universally despised, and cheering every time the Badgers fumble only adds insult to injury. If you insist on being your section’s troll, plan on being called an asshole every time the Badgers score.
Extra Credit: Body painting and the now-iconic red and white overalls are the order of the day if you really want to dress the part of the Badger fan—coordinate with friends to spell out player names, cheers, or just “Go Badgers!” Just remember that body paint isn’t going to keep you warm during those sub-zero games at the end of the season.
Food and Drink
Pass: Some mental preparation might be required to consider a brat for breakfast, but that should be the norm if you want to maximize your game day. Besides, eating processed meats in the morning is par for the course in Wisconsin, and a brat is simply a much larger portion unencumbered by all the sissy eggs and fruit.
Fail: Drinking all morning and showing up during the second quarter barely able to stand is a great way to ruin the game for people who are actually watching. Show some respect for the team and your classmates by arriving on time and able to sing “Varsity” without anyone needing to hold you up the whole time.
Extra Credit: Many of the houses near the stadium will have parties going on before and after the game as part of the tailgating festivities. Make some friends in the Regent and Breese neighborhoods so you won’t feel left out of all the fun.
Seating Chart
Pass: Head to Gate 5 at Camp Randall with enough time to beat the crowds mobbing toward the section you want. You’ll need someone at the head of the group to choose one of the student sections (K-P)–everyone should grab tickets for the same section. Once your whole posse stakes out some prime bleacher real estate, remember to organize bathroom breaks and nacho runs in waves so there will always be people to fend off seat thieves trying to upgrade mid-game.
Fail: When you walk through the student gate, you’ll be handed a ticket that has an assigned section and seat number. While you must sit in the assigned section, the seat number is completely meaningless–students just fill out the sections as they file in. Bitching at someone for being in your assigned space will result in derisive laughter in your general direction; if you try to force your way in between people to get “your spot,” you risk the kind of physical violence that could get you ejected from the game. And yes, you will be standing the whole game. No one will feel bad when you sit down during the second quarter and someone steps on your fingers.
Extra Credit: Get there right when the gates open for a chance at the front row seats. You can see the game without all the annoying late arrivals and seat stealers bustling around you, and interact with the band and cheerleaders to the point that you’ll be leading the cheers for your section.
Class Participation
Pass: You can try to research, plan, and prepare for all the student section cheers and sing-alongs—knowing the words to “Sweet Caroline” is a definite plus—but the key is to come with an open mind and a willing spirit. Submit to the Badger hivemind and play along with all the silly rituals going around you. This is university, after all; you’re here to learn, observe, and experience. Get out there, shake your keys around, and scream at the top of your lungs for higher education.
Fail: While cheering along is great, trying to start your own cheers off the bat is generally not a great idea. Just because you think spelling out “defense” in the air with your socks is going to be epic doesn’t mean anyone else will agree.
Extra Credit: Stick around into the Fifth Quarter, when the marching band will take to the field and play the whole catalogue of fight songs and other Badger tunes that you’ll be expected to know in your years at UW. It’s a great chance to really get into the spirit of the game and learn all the cheers to teach your foolish friends who bailed during House Of Pain’s “Jump Around,” played between the third and fourth quarter of every game. Also remember to show some respect to the marching band. It manages to make the games pretty fun even when the team is getting its ass handed to it.
