College Football

....by Russ Farmer

If there is anything better than spending a fall Saturday in your favorite college’s football stadium, I’m not sure what it would be. Every town that hosts collegiate games boasts that their stadium and traditions are the best, and their passion for the home team runs very deep. I think the combination of the cool crisp air (although sometimes downright cold), the trees changing colors, bands playing, fans tailgating, and the sheer excitement of the day’s activities all add to the spectacle.

I remember growing up in St. Louis, and at about the age of 6 started making the annual trek with my father to attend a Missouri Tiger game in Columbia, MO. Back in those days most games were played on Sat. afternoon starting around 1pm. I can vividly remember the 120 mile drive on those Sat. mornings. We would arrive on campus and have an early lunch at the Student Union. As game time approached, we would walk about ¾ of a mile towards the stadium accompanied by a throng of fans and oftentimes Marching Mizzou. I can remember passing amongst the ROTC dorms where those students were parading in full dress with all the pageantry. To this day I can almost taste the salted ham sandwiches that were sold at the stadium for 50 cents. My father and I both looked forward to this treat every year.

The 1960s was the golden age of football for the Tigers. During that decade they won more games than any other team in the country, and unlike today, home games were full with non-conference battles against traditional powers from all over the country. We always returned home later that day with special memories regardless of the outcome of the game. Those Saturdays had such a lasting impression on me that even though I could have attended college almost anywhere in the country, I never gave a thought to going anywhere else. During my time there as a student, those salted ham sandwiches became less important, and sneaking in a pint of Jim Beam became our group’s prime focus. Of course after the game, it was time to trek up to one of the on-campus watering holes (Harpo’s or Déjà Vu) to continue the party.

Over the years Susan and I have had the opportunity to go to many college football games. We’ve seen the New Mexico Lobos, USC vs. Notre Dame at the Coliseum, Boston College vs. Syracuse in Foxboro, MA, Clemson vs. Miami at Death Valley, MU vs. Baylor in Waco, TX, MU vs. Texas A&M in College Station, TX, and a game in Baton Rouge featuring LSU. We have seen MU defeat Illinois in St. Louis the last two years, and in 2003 flew into Columbia, MO, to see the Tigers beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the first time in 30 years at home. We have also had the opportunity to see our Tigers play in the Holiday, Independence, and Cotton Bowls.

We have fond memories of each of these games for many different reasons. At the A&M game we actually walked into the stadium surrounded by Secret Service agents. They were not there to escort us, but Pres. George Bush (the elder) was walking right next to us! Somehow we got caught up in their group, and the next thing you knew we were on the field, up close and personal for pre-game ceremonies. By the way if you ever get a chance to attend a game at College Station, no matter who is playing, you should make the trip. The weekend starts off with 30,000-40,000 in attendance on Fri. night at 12 midnight for the Midnight Yell, a time to practice cheers for the next day’s game. Simply amazing! Our trip to the Holiday Bowl included Mike and Pat Lutz attending the game with us. Although he was my boss, that was the beginning of a close friendship that continues to this day. That 2003 win against Nebraska was special in that after 30 years my best friends in college, who attended that game with me in 1973, were back in Columbia to see the next victory with me. One of those friends, who I had not seen in over 25 years, even snuck in a pint of Jim Beam.

You see, the game is meant to transcend time and is really not about wins and losses, but about relationships and traditions. Sure, it is more fun when your home team wins, but the real joy comes in the moment that you will be able to treasure the rest of your life.

This past weekend we had the opportunity to see a game in Lincoln, NE, one of the truly great stadiums and home to perhaps one of the most consistently great football teams during the decades of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Nebraska fans are known across the country as perhaps the best. They are passionate about their Huskers and are proud of their program’s tradition. As we were standing outside the stadium waiting for the game to start, many of those fans came up to Susan and me and asked if we were enjoying our visit to Lincoln. They asked if there was anything they could do to make our stay more enjoyable and offered suggestions for things to do during our stay. They wished us and our team luck in the upcoming game. They all seemed very genuine and sincere in their conversations, and showed both of us that there’s more to these games than the final score.

Perhaps the lesson to be learned is carved in the façade of Nebraska’s stadium. Upon entering the gates, these words greet each and every fan: "Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game; In the deed the glory."

So my advice to each of you is to enjoy the moment. It’s not about the final score. Don’t agonize over the local 18-year-old phenom who decides to take his talents to another school. Don’t spend hours reviewing a critical call that may have cost your team the game, frame by frame. Don’t criticize a young man who fumbles or the quarterback that throws the untimely interception. Don’t just judge your coaches on wins and losses but also in how well he molds the character of the young men he is leading. One thing that I have learned in almost 50 years of following college football is that no school wins forever. The lucky few have continued success at best for a decade or two. Unfortunately that success brings continued high expectations. And when those expectations aren’t met, fans demand answers. There really are no answers, and too many schools and alumni fail to realize that. It’s just the evolution of the game; it wasn’t meant for one team to always win. Live in the moment, and enjoy where the ride takes you. And when the trip is over, focus on the good times. Those memories will last you a lifetime.

….and continued by Susan Farmer

Unsure of how traffic would be, we left the campground in Yutan, NE, at 3:15 heading for Lincoln but the trip only took an hour. It was homecoming weekend at the University of Nebraska, and many of the frat houses had participated in a decorating contest keeping with this year’s theme of “Journey Through the Decades”. And as you can imagine most seemed to be centered on the Tigers at the mercy of the Huskers.

The Missouri Alumni Association was holding their Spirit Rally a couple hours before game time on campus at the Lied Center. The doors to the Rally didn’t open till 5:30, so we spent the time on a gorgeous fall day outside talking with other Mizzou fans. Once inside there were all sorts of Mizzou necklaces, mini pom-poms, and stickers for the taking, and upstairs the buffet line had started for Famous Dave’s Barbecue…what a meal! Soon a group of the cheerleaders arrived as well as some of the Golden Girls dance squad, Truman - the Tiger mascot, and part of the Mizzou Marching Band. Our table was right there in the middle of it all, and Russ said it’s been years since he’s been that close to the Golden Girls! After brief speeches by the Chancellor and the Director of Athletics, and rousing renditions of the Mizzou fight song and other traditional school songs, spirits were high and it was time to head to the stadium!!

Our seats were located in the upper northeast corner of the stadium with nearly 4,000 other Mizzou fans dressed in black and gold amidst a sea of over 80,000 in Nebraska red. A couple busloads of Mizzou students and alumni had even traveled from Columbia to root their team to victory. It had been 30 years since Missouri had won in Nebraska but that drought was finally over. The Tigers hammered the Cornhuskers 52-17…the most points scored by a Missouri football team at Nebraska ever!! The wind was brisk the entire game, and when Nebraska scored their first touchdown, the thousands of red balloons that were released swiftly made their way to the top of the stadium and beyond. It was quite a sight. Yes, the final score didn’t really matter that much, but rather witnessing that tradition and being in the moment will last a lifetime. I don’t have the same type of treasured memories Russ has from college, but I’m enjoying living and making them now.




Earlier in the day it was Halloween at the campground. Since it closes for the season in a couple weeks, a full day of activities had been planned. Many of the campers had their children and/or grandchildren here for the weekend; evidently it’s a tradition that has gone on for years. Costume judging was held in the Clubhouse and then the participants paraded through the campground trick or treating. Fortunately Scott had gone to Wal-Mart on Fri. and picked up some candy for us to give out, too. Afterwards there was to be a piñata and snacks at the clubhouse, then a hot dog roast around the bonfire at night, but we were going to miss those activities because of the game. Scott attended the bonfire and said it was fun and well attended with many folks bringing side dishes to share. Yeah, would have been fun but definitely didn’t want to miss the big game!

Mon. we arrived in Halstead, KS, just north of Wichita. No particular reason; just the next destination to spend a week on our way towards TX for the next Mizzou game in a couple weeks.