By Madison Fraser | Reporter
Baylor’s Traditions Rally is a cherished event among students and faculty across campus, as well as loyal fans of the community. The beginning of the year is a special time on campus, where students are eager to be reunited with their friends, first day of class nerves set in and of course, the most exciting thing to some: football returns.
The Traditions Rally is an event put on by Baylor Student Activities where organizations across campus come together to energize the students the night before the first home game of the year. This year, the traditions rally begins with a tailgate at 5:30, and ends with a Judah and the Lion concert at 8 p.m. In light of the recent events regarding Hurricane Harvey, during the Traditions Rally, there will be PODS located on Fifth Street for donations.
Tonight a live concert by the popular alternative band, Judah & the Lion, will perform on Fountain Mall. Baylor pulls out all the stops when it comes to selecting an artist for the concert that will essentially excite the student body not only for football season, but for the entire semester. Traditions Rallies of the past have included artists such as Brad Paisley, Phillip Phillips and Aloe Blacc. To conclude the evening, there will be a fireworks display following the concert.
“I’m so excited to see Judah and the Lion,” Austin senior Avery Brillante said. “I love the Traditions Rally because I feel Baylor does a really good job of lifting our spirits, energizing the football team and picking artists for the concert the whole student body will be excited about.”
Before the concert begins, there are many other events that take place. At 5:30 p.m. the Interfraternity Council will host a free tailgate for students only. Each fraternity will have its own booth where they provide food and drinks for students with a valid student ID card. Students are encouraged to wear their Line Jersey and a Slime Cap. While the IFC is serving the students, a kids zone will be designated for kids 12 and under with large inflatable games, a video game party truck and free snow cones.
At 6:30 p.m., the food truck village will open on Fountain Mall. There will be a variety of options such as barbecue, popular Pokey-O’s ice cream, lemonade and tea and much more. The trucks will not be free, but they will be open to all students and the public.
The official Pep Rally will begin around 7:30 p.m., where speakers such as President Linda Livingstone and head coach Matt Rhule will address the crowd. During the Pep Rally, the Golden Wave Band will play while the Spirit Squad and Baylor’s mascot, Bruiser, sign autographs and take pictures with fans from the audience. At this time a select few players from the football team will join the speakers on stage and excite the crowd about the following night’s game. This is the time just before the concert that students most look forward to, as it is essentially the moment where an enormous amount of school spirit takes over and everyone cheers Baylor on to a hopeful victory.
“The Traditions Rally is one of my all-time favorite events that Baylor has,” Henderson senior Ainsley Hughes said. “I go every year with my friends and we bring our dogs and have the best time. It really is such a great event to be a part of.”
For those who have yet to experience a Baylor football game, this is the preview to the season. Baylor football games are a time when all students join together in celebration for a game that so many people cherish.
“Some of my favorite memories at Baylor have been at the Traditions Rally,” Littleton, Colo., senior Allison Matz said. “It is so nice to be around so much excitement that students and community members can take part in together.”
