With the biggest football rivalry in Montana just passed, I
find it suiting that I talk about my favorite subject in college... College
Football!! Weather you are a Bobcat fan or a Grizzly fan (god may have mercy on
you, and if he doesn’t, tough luck) we all participate in a subculture. What
make a subculture exist are a shared belief system and a number of acceptable
traits and actions. For the Bobcats these beliefs are that Bobcats are good and
all other teams in our conference are bad, with University of Montana and
Eastern Washington topping that list. Some traits that identify this subculture
are items such as bumper stickers, jerseys and other Montana State memorabilia.
These are used to show pride and identify with others within your subculture.
There are also rituals that
people perform or in which they participate in order to be part of this
subculture. One ritual that is widely acceptable is the pregame tailgate scene.
Many of the fans get together before the game starts, either in the designated
tailgate area, or at houses in order to prepare for the game ahead. These
gatherings usually consist of drinking and eating. Another ritual that is
widely adopted is wearing of team colors and sometimes arriving at the game in
costume. Some people wear customized t-shirts that have logos or smear phrases
directed at the other team. For the Cat/Griz rivalry a few popular ones are
“FTG” or, new this year, “Eat S**t Grizzlies, No Means No” which plays off a
stereotype of the Griz players due to recent criminal acts.
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