As a freshman, I was expecting USC football to be a big deal. But, my idea of a “big deal” was anything that was a bit larger than my high school football games, which weren’t exactly setting NCAA attendance records. Around 9AM on my first gameday in 2014, I walked outside of my New North dorm and was instantly awash in one of the coolest settings I’ve experienced to this day – all-encompassing pride. It was amazing, and I still reminisce about that first gameday.
The most exciting part about gameday at USC is that everyone is involved. Students, parents, friends, members of the local community – everyone comes out to tailgate and share in the spirit of USC football. It’s a friendly environment, and while sometimes anxious for the result of a big game, does so much more than get people excited for football – it makes the school have a sense of togetherness.
And it doesn’t stop there. Parents weekend (usually in October) brings even more excitement to campus, as USC goes all-out to create a unique experience for entire families. (And, if your parents are into football, odds are that they’ll love it too). The experience brings even more people together over football, and spreads happiness and a competitive spirit. When the Trojans win, we win as a team, and when we lose, the whole school feels the burden of defeat. Fortunately for USC, that doesn’t happen very often.
Finally, gameday is a chance to reconnect. Another great part of being in a PAC-12 school is the number of friends you might see on a gameday weekend who travel to support their team, and also see their buddies at USC. Every weekend, you can almost feel the presence of visiting schools (especially if they’re schools that are near Los Angeles).
I could go on – and many have, but the only way to truly understand how great football is at USC is to experience it for yourself. If not in person, watch the game on TV, and listen to the crowd. Listen to the students cheering, the Greatest Marching Band in The Universe playing, and the whole school coming together to support a singular cause. While the game of football is important, it’s really the community that makes it even better.
That’s why I love gameday.
-Fight on!
Naish
[/cs_text][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/5″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h5″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false” class=”cs-ta-center” style=”color: hsl(0, 95%, 18%);”]About the Author[/x_custom_headline][x_image type=”circle” src=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Naish-Gaubatz_web.jpg” alt=”” link=”true” href=”#https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/bethany/” title=”” target=”blank” info=”popover” info_place=”bottom” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Bethany Biomedical Engineering ’19”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-center”]Naish is a Senior studying Aerospace Engineering. He’s a pilot, and will talk with you for as long as you want about planes.[/cs_text][cs_icon_list][cs_icon_list_item title=”@naishonals” type=”instagram” link_enabled=”true” link_url=”#” link_title=”@bethany” link_new_tab=”true” style=”font-size:18px;”]@naishonals[/cs_icon_list_item][/cs_icon_list][x_gap size=”100px”][x_custom_headline level=”h5″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”true” class=”cs-ta-center” style=”color: hsl(0, 95%, 18%);”]Check it Out[/x_custom_headline][x_image type=”thumbnail” src=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Boeing-787.jpg” alt=”” link=”true” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/study/biomedical-engineering/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_button size=”mini” block=”true” circle=”false” icon_only=”false” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/study/aerospace-and-mechanical-engineering/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””]Aerospace Engineering[/x_button][x_gap size=”30px”][x_image type=”thumbnail” src=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/los-angeles_1.jpg” alt=”” link=”true” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/free-time/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_button size=”mini” block=”true” circle=”false” icon_only=”false” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/free-time/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””]LA Life[/x_button][x_gap size=”30px”][x_image type=”thumbnail” src=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/USC-campus-Hahn-plaza.jpg” alt=”” link=”true” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/orgs/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_button size=”mini” block=”true” circle=”false” icon_only=”false” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/orgs/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””]USC Campus Faves[/x_button][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”false” marginless_columns=”false” class=”cs-ta-left” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column bg_color=”hsla(0, 27%, 74%, 0.03)” fade=”true” fade_animation=”in-from-bottom” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true” class=”cs-ta-center” style=”color: hsl(0, 96%, 23%);”]Hear from other Viterbi Students[/x_custom_headline][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_recent_posts type=”post” count=”2″ offset=”” category=”” orientation=”horizontal” no_sticky=”true” no_image=”false” fade=”true”][x_recent_posts type=”post” count=”2″ offset=”2″ category=”” orientation=”horizontal” no_sticky=”true” no_image=”false” fade=”true”][x_recent_posts type=”post” count=”2″ offset=”4″ category=”” orientation=”horizontal” no_sticky=”true” no_image=”false” fade=”true”][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]
