I think there are several reasons that this would never happen today.
1. I’m not cleaning that up.
2. Whoever decided it was a good idea does not work there anymore.
3. Too many videos would get posted from people in it.
4. Who could you get to clean that up?
5. Lawsuits – I took a direct hit in the eye.
6. Seems like we don’t print anything anymore.
7. Someone has to clean it up.

College football is a spectacle, totally awesome to have that many people in one place at one time. “The Horseshoe” held over 100,000 people for the Saturday games and we were a great team. The first game with all students in attendance “it” was only the idea of one group of about 5 boys. They all stood up together yelling and barraged another group about 3 rows below them with all the ammo they had. I saw this event happen just one section over from our seats. We laughed as it was amusing, and it was all one-sided, ending as quickly as it started. At the second home game, we had forgotten about “it”, until some time in the second quarter when about 4-5 different groups of boys jumped up yelling and began their onslaught at another group near them. A couple of the targets returned fire so these melees continued for almost a minute this time and attracted a lot more attention, a lot more laughs, and a lot more intrigue from many more groups around them.

Before the third home game, one member of our group planned our attack and our target. We all prepared by getting supplies as we walked in, then tucked our ammo away as we headed to our seats. The second quarter began with more anticipation. Again “it” started in one section over from us as the loud bombardment commenced. We whipped out the ammo, yelled our battle cry, and pelted our target with a pretty solid stream. Return fire was present, but we endured a good retaliation and claimed victory. Seemed like more than half of our section had been involved along with many from the sections on either side of us.

For the fourth home game of the season, the second quarter was spectacular, and the upper deck loaded with students was ready. We could see those below us and boys seated behind us were prepared. We were unclear of our target. Suddenly “it” erupted. The largest paper-wad fight ever seen. A steady flow of paper wads made from the free handouts of player programs was launched. I doubt that there were any handouts left for the adults in the lower sections that day because all of the students had taken a stack. Once I had launched my share I began looking around. I could not turn and look at the rows behind me without shielding my eyes from getting hit. As I turned, I could see across the closed curved end stadium, and the entire upper deck was now blocked from view with airborne paper balls flying from up, down, and every way. It was a complete whiteout, like looking through a thick fog. A truly unbelievable sight took place that raged for maybe 10 minutes before our laughter and energy subsided. Each of us had continually retrieved balls from the ground and hit everyone around us at least once. I felt that I was part of a magnificent display of childish foolery bringing one of the most triumphant memories of a game possible.

Game 5, no more programs.

May you have a Happy Friday so that you recall one of those truly unique moments. Remember to subscribe on the Perspectives page.

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