By Michael Glenn
Teen-Age Dirtbag
Even though I had the privilege of growing up a Jayhawk fan and a follower of the University of Kansas, I wasn’t much of a college football fan before coming to KU.
Some of you may read that lede and connect the dots that a KU fan wouldn’t have enjoyed football before the recent upticks in the program’s success and win rate. Fortunately, I’m glad to attend KU at a time when football games are competitive and meaningful.
Thankfully, I’ve now had the opportunity to attend two college football games in person at the newly renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, with KU winning in both games. The process of getting lower-level student seating involves multiple hours of waiting in the summer heat, but the camaraderie and view make the experience worth it every time.
I also got to see the campus, and all of Lawrence, alive and well in its centuries-long rivalry with the University of Missouri during the Border War game.
One of my favorite online content creators and YouTubers, Mr. Beat (a Kansan and history teacher), released the video “Why Kansas and Missouri Hated Each Other” shortly before the latest Border War game. I think many college football fans don’t understand the scale of KU and Mizzou’s rivalry, given that the last game between the two before this month happened in 2011. Dating back to Bleeding Kansas and the Civil War, this rivalry stems from true conflict.
Unfortunately, the wrong side of the border won this year, but at least none of us have to wear mustard yellow and live in Missouri.
Each college has its own traditions, and students and fans alike participate in them, making college football a unique environment.
A key component of college football, and one of my favorites, is each school’s marching band. As a former band kid, music and band are where I made most of my friends to this day. Those in marching band are dedicated to the activity, and performances are physical and challenging but very enjoyable to watch.
Sports cultures like KU’s provide a way for many different types of people, regardless of their background or beliefs, to rally behind a single team. In the world of today’s partisan politics and polarization that have unfortunately found their way into many of our lives, supporting a common cause reinforces that we’re more similar than we give each other credit for.
I’m excited to watch the rest of the football season develop for the Jayhawks into the fall. As of publication, the Jayhawks sit at 3-1 and face Cincinnati on Saturday, Sept. 27.
This shared culture thrives in Hutch as well. An example of Hutchinson’s sports culture includes Gowans Stadium, used mainly by Hutch High and HutchCC. Whether it was Hutch High winning multiple state championships in football or HutchCC winning the NJCAA Championship, we rally behind the organizations that represent and highlight who we are.
I’d encourage you to find organizations or causes that you believe in and get involved, if you haven’t already. From non-profits to cheering on a sports team, joining a group of new people or working with new faces gives us a chance to meet new people, see different perspectives and work together for a common good.
Michael Glenn is the founding publisher of The Hutchinson Tribune and a current student at the University of Kansas. He can be reached at mglenn@hutchtribune.com.