FAU just announced that our annual Bonfire will be held on August 23rd. This event started in 2008 by Coach Schnellenberger has grrown a lot and was recently given a award. This has become the hallmark of the start of football season and one that every FAU fan looks forward too.

Here are the basics behind it.

"The SAA annual Fall Bonfire has become a major tradition on campus, attracting progressively larger crowds of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members each year since it began in 2008. The Bonfire is traditionally held on the Thursday before the first football game of the season, and features the burning of a large effigy of the mascot of FAU’s first opponent, as well as appearances by the football team, complimentary food and beverages, live entertainment provided by local bands and a commemorative T-shirt giveaway"

So it got me to wondering, are there any start of season rituals/events that your universitys do?

A bonfire in south florida in August, wow, where do I sign up?

"...and features the burning of a large effigy of the mascot of FAU’s first opponent" - pretty trashy thing to do IMO

(05-30-2012 10:52 AM)ATLGSUEAGLE Wrote:  A bonfire in south florida in August, wow, where do I sign up?

"...and features the burning of a large effigy of the mascot of FAU’s first opponent" - pretty trashy thing to do IMO

Some would agree with you but I gotta tell ya the event is a lot of fun. Back in 09 we burend a large red N since our opponent was Nebraska, Man you should of seen the response to that. I thought the Nebraska fans heads were going to explode. One of the Greek orginizations builds the effigy and it is paraded down the street.

But to me thats the whole point, lets fire up the fan bases for the start of the season. The free food and concert brings out the students and fires em all up.

As to the heat in August yup its a bear, but were used to heat in S. Florida. Having a lil fire added on top is no biggie.

I don't even know, but how did that game V Nebraksa turn out?

(05-30-2012 11:06 AM)ATLGSUEAGLE Wrote:  I don't even know, but how did that game V Nebraksa turn out?

We got our arses handed to us but we usually do against those types of programs.

Burning the N had nothing to do with that though, Depth on the bench is what did it. We hung close for the first half but in the 2nd we got burned because there reserves were much better then ours. Happens to every SBC team.

(05-30-2012 10:52 AM)ATLGSUEAGLE Wrote:  A bonfire in south florida in August, wow, where do I sign up?

"...and features the burning of a large effigy of the mascot of FAU’s first opponent" - pretty trashy thing to do IMO

If I remember correctly they burned Western Kentucky's big red blob in effigy last year, and many WKU fans thought it was funny.

Some schools would probably get really upset, but its football, they'll get over it.

(05-30-2012 11:12 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(05-30-2012 10:52 AM)ATLGSUEAGLE Wrote:  A bonfire in south florida in August, wow, where do I sign up?

"...and features the burning of a large effigy of the mascot of FAU’s first opponent" - pretty trashy thing to do IMO

If I remember correctly they burned Western Kentucky's big red blob in effigy last year, and many WKU fans thought it was funny.

Some schools would probably get really upset, but its football, they'll get over it.

The Cajun Roar sets up the UL football season. We have done it for decades.

http://www.thevermilion.com/ragin-roar-e...-1.2601897

(05-30-2012 11:12 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  If I remember correctly they burned Western Kentucky's big red blob in effigy last year, and many WKU fans thought it was funny.

Some schools would probably get really upset, but its football, they'll get over it.

Yup,

Due to a hurricane the original August date had to be cancelled and they decided to move it to the week of the Stadium opening.

Each school does take it differently. WKU and UAB played along and had a good time talking smack with it. Nebraska fans just lost thier mind. You'd of though we burned thier first born instead of a Cardbord N.

Sounds like fun.....hey isn't college football supposed to be fun. At least for the fans!!

(05-30-2012 11:20 AM)CajunExpress Wrote:  The Cajun Roar sets up the UL football season. We have done it for decades.

http://www.thevermilion.com/ragin-roar-e...-1.2601897

Very cool.

I imagine these events are fairly similar just with lil tweaks. Sounds like you guys have a contest while we light stuff on fire.

Anyone else?

(05-30-2012 11:24 AM)OwlFamily Wrote:  

(05-30-2012 11:20 AM)CajunExpress Wrote:  The Cajun Roar sets up the UL football season. We have done it for decades.

http://www.thevermilion.com/ragin-roar-e...-1.2601897

Very cool.

I imagine these events are fairly similar just with lil tweaks. Sounds like you guys have a contest while we light stuff on fire.

Anyone else?

ASU has order of the pack each year for its students, the idea is similar to what UL does, introduce the athletic teams and coaches, and get the greek organizations really into it with contests and prizes. Although at last check their is not a "roaring contest."

Years ago, the event was really poorly planned, but the school has worked hard to improve it each year, and it should be a lot better this year with Malzahn involved.

(05-30-2012 10:59 AM)OwlFamily Wrote:  

(05-30-2012 10:52 AM)ATLGSUEAGLE Wrote:  A bonfire in south florida in August, wow, where do I sign up?

"...and features the burning of a large effigy of the mascot of FAU’s first opponent" - pretty trashy thing to do IMO

Some would agree with you but I gotta tell ya the event is a lot of fun. Back in 09 we burend a large red N since our opponent was Nebraska, Man you should of seen the response to that. I thought the Nebraska fans heads were going to explode. One of the Greek orginizations builds the effigy and it is paraded down the street.

But to me thats the whole point, lets fire up the fan bases for the start of the season. The free food and concert brings out the students and fires em all up.

As to the heat in August yup its a bear, but were used to heat in S. Florida. Having a lil fire added on top is no biggie.

I just hope Liberty doesn't join the belt. Burning crosses typically doesn't go over well.

(05-30-2012 10:52 AM)ATLGSUEAGLE Wrote:  A bonfire in south florida in August, wow, where do I sign up?

"...and features the burning of a large effigy of the mascot of FAU’s first opponent" - pretty trashy thing to do IMO

Trashy? Only if you are joyless and take yourself WAY too seriously. It's a perfectly harmless tradition and a good time for the students. If someone wants to burn a giant wooden owl before our game, go right ahead.

(05-30-2012 04:50 PM)fauowls561 Wrote:  

(05-30-2012 10:52 AM)ATLGSUEAGLE Wrote:  A bonfire in south florida in August, wow, where do I sign up?

"...and features the burning of a large effigy of the mascot of FAU’s first opponent" - pretty trashy thing to do IMO

Trashy? Only if you are joyless and take yourself WAY too seriously. It's a perfectly harmless tradition and a good time for the students. If someone wants to burn a giant wooden owl before our game, go right ahead.

Exactly. Some people need to relax a little. I mean it is not like TO stomping on the Dallas Star in Dallas. That is just insane.

(05-30-2012 04:49 PM)Seven Would Be Nice Wrote:  

(05-30-2012 10:59 AM)OwlFamily Wrote:  

(05-30-2012 10:52 AM)ATLGSUEAGLE Wrote:  A bonfire in south florida in August, wow, where do I sign up?

"...and features the burning of a large effigy of the mascot of FAU’s first opponent" - pretty trashy thing to do IMO

Some would agree with you but I gotta tell ya the event is a lot of fun. Back in 09 we burend a large red N since our opponent was Nebraska, Man you should of seen the response to that. I thought the Nebraska fans heads were going to explode. One of the Greek orginizations builds the effigy and it is paraded down the street.

But to me thats the whole point, lets fire up the fan bases for the start of the season. The free food and concert brings out the students and fires em all up.

As to the heat in August yup its a bear, but were used to heat in S. Florida. Having a lil fire added on top is no biggie.

I just hope Liberty doesn't join the belt. Burning crosses typically doesn't go over well.

How exactly would you burn a flame in effigy?

We have a Trojan Fan Appreciation Day. It's nothing special, just a chance for fans and the media to chat with the coaches and players. You can also get posters/items signed for free.

Oldest tradition of all everywhere (almost) kids party go to game and party more afterward........Alumni and fans party......after game go home and party or stay and party.........lots of drinks and eats........You can almost smell the trash cans overflowing with empty beer bottles now..........soon to be languishing in the glow of fall and the cheering half buzzed crowds.....as they hope their teams will bring joy to their schools by knocking the crap out of their opponents. Now THAT is tradition.............!!!!!