Everything you need to know to be a true Seminole

Being a new college student can be intimidating, but when you are part of a whole community of people, it can be inviting. At FSU, there are numerous organizations that bring like-minded people together, and football brings everyone together.

Being a Seminole is easy, but being a “true” Seminole takes some work. Anyone can do it, you just have to have pride for your school and community. Pride comes in so many forms – whether it’s through a football game or upholding the Garnet and Gold, a true Seminole always has it.

Florida State traditions

Before the crowd

The plethora of traditions at Florida State is amazing. Traditions start from a combination of places. Some come from really meaningful incidents and others are completely random. One of the longest lasting traditions comes from when Florida State University was an all-female college: the Westcott Fountain.

When a member of the university turns 21, they are dunked in the fountain by surprise. Another meaningful tradition includes the hymn to Garnet and Gold sung at ceremonies. If you want to cry, definitely listen to the Marching Chiefs play and sing it. All of FSU’s traditions are great, but the best traditions hands down, are Osceola and Renegade and The War Chant.

What it’s like to attend your first Florida State football game

Two generations of McCleskeys

As a girl with a football-obsessed dad, it’s kind of hard not knowing what is happening during a game, but it is easy to get annoyed. That’s not the case for actually attending a game though, especially when it is YOUR school. Since my friend is a second-generation FSU student, he knows the ins and outs of the school, including how to get the best seats.

The secret is to get to the stadium super early. It’s nice to be able to sit front row at a game, but it’s kind of a bummer when the game starts at 12:30pm and the sun’s just coming out. Despite the 90-100 degree summer weather, you are able to forget about the heat when the best moments of the game occur, including when Osceola and Renegade come out and the Marching Chiefs play. For three hours, you are able to be in the mix of 30,000 roaring fans.

The pride of a Seminole fan

Just another sunny game day

Being a true Seminole fan takes a lot of pride. No matter what the score is in a game or how the season turns out, the Seminole fans always come back. The amount of people that show up at an FSU game is remarkable. The stadium is full of Garnet and Gold. Seminoles are dedicated fans, meaning the War Chant is never missed and the University of Florida hate is always present.

The best tradition at Florida State

Osceola and Renegade running off the field

A Florida State football game is nothing without Osceola and Renegade. Sadly they are only present at home football games, but the reaction from the fans is mind-blowing. One could probably argue that their presence is one of the best traditions in football history – scratch that, it’s the best. The tradition was initiated by Bobby Bowden in 1978 after a student brought up the idea 15 years earlier. Due to his persistence, the ritual was born.

Pregame

The pregame is probably the best part of the football game. Osceola and Renegade enter and wait on the sideline with a spear in hand. The world-renowned Marching Chiefs enter playing the Flight Song, chief-stepping down the field. Osceola ignites the spear and as the War Chant starts, he runs out onto the field ready to taunt the opposing team that enters next.

The Flight Song starts once again as “Our Seminoles of Florida State” enter, then the crowd’s roar maximizes to the point where you’d think you’re about to go deaf as Osceola and Renegade enter the middle of the field and plant the burning spear. Next, the game begins.

The Chop

As a part of the War Chant, The Chop is highly important. Some strict fans will criticize you if you’re not doing it at the right angle and if you’re in the Marching Band, judging the rest of the stadium is completely normal since most of the crowd delays the War Chant by a few seconds every…single…time.