Spirit Bleeding colors besides black and gold School spirit technically referred to emotional support for one's own institute of education. However, on any given fall Saturday afternoon, a brge portion of Harding students could be found exercising that spirit for other institutions besides Harding by yelling and screaming at a TV or radio tuned in to their favorite schools' football games. It quickly became evident that for these individuals, school spirit embodied years of family tradition, rivalries, memories and even bloodshed that could not be equaled by any other university. \'\Then senior Zach Garner was not satisfied watching the Tennessee Volunteers on Tv, he made the eight-hour trip home to Knoxville to see to a game. "T attended there for three years," Garner said. "People are [either] on cloud nine or suicidal depending on if we win or lose. It's an awesome atmosphere." While Garner said fights over the team \vere mostly limited to verbal arguments between him and his dad, for odlers it was more.Senior Donny Stephens said the passion for his preferred team came to actual blows. ''\X1hen I was in elementary school, we used to have Auburn versus Alabama football games at recess," Stephens said. ''This one kid thought he had a touchdown when he most definitely didn't, so we just had it Out right then and there." Stephens said his love for Alabama came from a lot of memories and family tradition. He recalled one of his fondest memories when his family got in the car and drove all around the neighborhood singing the Alabama fight song after a big win. Stephens received understanding for his passion for Alabama football from his girlfriend, senior Megan Reese. "[For one game] 1 made him Alabama 'N. cookies," Reese said. "I realize it's a big part of his life. ] don't get emotionally involved in sports, but J try to support him. I'm glad he likes it; it's a good American thing to do." Senior Carson Copeland said he could relate to family tradition when it came to the Arkansas Razorbacks. Copeland said he believed there reaUy was not much choice when it came to what school he would cheer for growing up. "Ever since 1 was a kid, it was just something we did," Copeland said. ''I t was just me and dad sitting in front of the TV watching the Razorbacks." "[My roommate] and I are both so i~ opposite teams, we wound up watching the game in different rooms." Sc;.phJmore Alex fV'cCBin . Nick Michael Copeland said he loved everything about I-larding and was glad he came here, but when it came to sports, he thought it was impossible for Harding to compete with the athletic atmosphere of other schools. After attending Texas A&M for a year before transferring to Harding, freshman Chrystine Barbre never lost her spirit for dlat school. "Being at [texas A&:M], it's really hard not to be a fan," Barbre said. "My favorite part of the games was the yells and cheers of the crowd. A&M is just so big; [it feels like] everyone is playing the game when the crowd participates." Mat Brown, a senior and Auburn fan, said he loved his school because he grew up in Huntsville, Ala. He said he had to choose bet\veen Alabama and Auburn, but finally decided on Auburn and has been pulling for them ever since. He thought the reason why some Harding srudems were not as crazy about the Harding Bisons as other schools was simple. "When you grow up rooting for a school for whatever reason, you're going to keep doing it, no matter where you go to college," Brown said. "That's just the way it is." ZachWe'ch "I have a Texas shrine in my room because I live in a UT [University of Tennessee] house so I had to bring out the other UT." Graduate student Matt pemng. Noah Darnell Watching the game, senkx Nic::08 Shaffer and fresnmen Kelly Gemma and Ka!ee B3mhardt cheer for n-e Oho State Uriversity football team durng a party Sept 27. Shaffer rested a get-together at her heme for 8V8fY garre that season. Noah Darnell Graduate student Richy Kimberly sh:JI.,.s off h6 LSU prde in his rcx::m Sept 21 Many students were fans of other cdlega sports teams and rever missocl the or:p:Jrtunity to catch a game. Nick Michael Showing support for the Harding Bison football team, an enthusestic fan talks to No 22 sena Patrick Nicks befae the Sept. 20 Detta State garrB. !>JttaJgh many sfcdents choo"ed for tffir 0Nf1 rane teams, Elsen athletes vvere rever vvrth:xJt supp:y1ers. Noah Darnell Dr. Jim Miller, a cc::m1Tl\.Ji2at:b1s instru:::ta ard avd lJl~ of T€{1res.sE)€ fan,strat9']iZes his next rrove on his cdk;ge football cress set \/Iihile in his office Sept 30. 'UTw11 alNay3 f:B my first KMl, and I don't mnd dsP~ that in my offce,' Miller sad Noah Darnell seniors 55
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