Rain

Its football season, and football is one of the few sports that they will play rain or shine. I’ve only ever seen a football game get delayed because of lightning or a tornado. That means that there are bound to be a few occasions where the game will take place in slightly… damp, conditions.

If the game is going to be played in the rain, the student section is going to have to cheer in the rain. So here are a few tips on how to best perform in the rain.

The biggest piece of advice I can offer, is if it is going to be cold and wet, cancel whatever occasion you had planned. Trying to hold on to your blackout through a rainstorm isn’t going to go well. It works best to change and adapt. No one wants to go to a white out when it’s 60 and pouring rain. If you are stubborn people will either not come or will come wearing whatever they want.

Next comes burring your pride. This one can be though, lord knows I’ve struggled with it. But there comes a time when you simply have to put a poncho on. You can only be a hero for so long before you just become an idiot. Trust me, it is so much more enjoyable to be able to stay warm and dry, not to mention the fact that you yell louder when you’re warm.

Remember to stay positive. Don’t complain. Don’t whine about the weather. Just smile and get through it. It’s worse for the guys on the field anyway. It’s incredibly easy for a huge group of people to shut down, it is your job to keep them excited and involved. Rain can suck the inspiration right out of you. Stay cheery, stay loud, others will follow, just don’t slide down the slippery slope that leads to 300 people sitting around wishing they were at home.

There is a good chance that the turn out for a rain game will be significantly less than other games. Don’t panic. Smaller numbers aren’t always a bad thing, and chances are the people who tough it out in the rain are the same people who cheer loudest in the best conditions. Remember, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog. The people who come out for rain games have fight. Remember to just have fun with it, smaller numbers are easier to manage and can lead to a closer bond between people.

Playing in the rain can be a nightmare for some teams, the ball is wet and fumbles will happen. Crazy things happen in the rain. The team will need a good section to have their backs and keep them in the fight.

Remember, you don’t come to the game for you, you come for them. That means that in their darkest hour, you have to cheer your loudest.