as u.s. american as can be: homecoming

pride doesn't sit well with most germans because of germany's past in the 20th century. only since the world soccer cup in 2006 and again with the european soccer cup in summer 2008 a temporary small seas of black-red-golden flags swept across the country: on cars, windows, bicycles, and even erection cranes.

this general non-pride permeates all parts of society: no school colors or mascots in highschool, no fan culture and very limited paraphernalia in universities and colleges. an unknow in my home country, to me homecoming celebrations in athens emanates a fascinating attractivity. originally the purpose of this unique festival is for alumni to return to their alma mater to see friends, professors, and even relive it for example in the alumni band.

stine, madelaine (with proper beads around her neck) and "die katze" (engl. the cat) as the germans call rufus, the bobcat that is ohio university's mascott and gives its name to the ou's sports teams.

but it's much more: it's the peak of bobcat pride; ohio university's fan culture culminates in a glorious green and white celebration of itself. no doubt u.s. americans know how to have fun: ballons, beads, parade, receptions, tail gate parties, the football game and half-time show is the vocabulary that rules the day. yesterday ou (as ohio university is known across the state) was ripe again for its yearly 'go bobcats' orgasm.

the parade

"rotcies" are spearheading the parade: ou's college student soldiers in training march around the corner of court street so that the parade judges sitting in front of baker student center can have a good look at them.

among the three to four bands that performed the ou band was the first and most impressing: no wonder, they came in army like quantity with several generals, i mean conductors, who coordinated the huge groups' synchronic movements.

this year's motto "get your green on" didn't only pertain to school pride but also intended to boost the environmental spirit at the university. ohio is one of the playgrounds in the usa where alternative energy technology are developed and supported by governor ted strickland. (as sen. barack obama also pointed out in the first presidential debate on sept. 26, 2008)

political statements in blue, red, and white broke the day's color scheme but as the other parts of the parade they reflect the state of the nation: athens is in election mode.

athens is known to be a liberal, democratic pocket in conservative poor appalachia as the area is frequently referred to.

a twinge of excited happiness surges in my stomach as a german flag wobbles around the corner. far away from home i feel very german.

parade participants vied for the prize of best float: $500. so every type of vehicle was represented. among the many pick-up trucks, a couple of horses...

...and a streetcar stood out. one bystander commented he had never seen a streetcar in the parade before.

even a local supermarket rolled its dressed up carts across the brick: in a city with roughly 27,000 students and roughly 2.000 residents, athens businesses as well as chains are dependent on the undergraduate's dollars in exchange for beer and bread.

the game

properly dressed people went to peden stadium to cheer for the bobcats facing virginia military instute.

besides watching the game, it's a family and social event which boosts ou's income as the university sells pop & popcorn to dehydrated, hungry viewers roasting in the unbelievably sunny and hot weather (never mind the one big grey cloud wafting over the stadium during the second quarter).

the enemy...a german girl next to me remarked the players looked like oompa-loompas out of charlie and the chocolate factory.

the rush is on...
and every touchdown is rewarded with a blast from the cannon (the big one)...

...while the cheerleaders delight the audience with whirling around their partners' necks. among other things the front and back flipped across the lawn.

the half-time show gave the ou band a chance to show their skills in spelling out different words on the field while playing and dancing and marching. many people left after the half-time show as did i but crowning this glorious day was the bobcats' victory over the enemy: 51:31

ps: be aware, homecoming fever is contagious. please ask you doctor or pharmacists about risks and adverse effects before attending such event.