Sugar Bowl Bound

Taking Bingham to his first New Year’s Day Bowl Game

I became obsessed with Washington Huskies football at Age 11, the year they claimeda national title by defeating the Michigan Wolverines 34-14 to post a 11-0 undefeated season. This year I have been able to share my passion for Husky football with my son Bingham. He has now been to the home games against Cal and Utah - one a lopsided domination of the Bears and a gritty come from behind victory against the Utes. At both games, Bingham was glued to the action on the field. He didn’t want to leave his seat except at halftime to get a burger and between quarters when he needed to use the restroom.

Yesterday, we boarded a plane for New Orleans ahead of the Washington’s matchup with Texas in the Sugar Bowl. As we entered the airport, he witness Texas fans and he proudly exclaimed, “Go Dawgs.” They volleyed back that they would win the game. I appreciate their enthusiasm as much as I appreciate my son’s. Upon boarding the plane, we played the University of Washington fight song, “Bow Down to Washington.” In case you don’t know the lyrics, here they are:

Bow Down to Washington,

Bow Down to Washington,

Mighty Are The Men

Who Wear the Purple and the Gold,

Joyfully We Welcome Them

Within the Victors Fold.

We Will Carve Their Names

In the Hall of Fame

To Preserve the Memory of Our Devotion.

Heaven Help the Foes of Washington;

They're Trembling at the Feet

Of Mighty Washington,

The Boys Are There With Bells,

Their Fighting Blood Excels,

It's Harder to Push Them Over the Line

Than Pass the Dardanelles.

Victory the Cry of Washington...

Leather Lungs Together

With a Rah! Rah! Rah!

And O'er the Land

Our Loyal Band

Will Sing the Glory

Of Washington Forever.

This fight song above is universally recognized as a Top 5 fight song behind Notre Dame, Michigan, and USC. The lyrics might are the men was recently changed to “Mighty are the Ones.”

Fight song aside, Bingham is relishing the pageantry associated with College Bowl games. This relic with the changes in the college football landscape will likely be an unknown tradition to the next generation of football loving kids. For now, we enjoy the parades, parties, and people associated with this timeless tradition. One thing about producing this passion within Bingham which now rivals his former passion for dinosaurs, legos, and trains, is that endless questioning that comes with game rules and outcomes. I am awoken this morning to request complete game recaps across the NFL, as if I have carefully memorized all key scoring plays across the NFLs 14 games. His fascination with game rules and strategies captures my heart. His wavering loyalty across mascots he likes is adorable albeit he knows that both the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Huskies are our favorite teams.

Another observation is the tribalism associated with fandom. We all cloak ourselves in team gear to proudly display what side we are. We banter with opposing teams cultivating competitive fire within a game that we as fans don’t control the outcome of. We spend hard earned cash to travel to games to delight in the spoils of victory or wallow in the halls of defeat. We indulge in journalists and their takes prior to game time. We feast on the ballet of spectacular catches and plays, while devouring a diet of near misses. Bingham energy beams after key plays. He exclaims asking if I witnessed what he just saw as if I wasn’t in the same room with him glued to the same screen. The time spent on these activities is sacrificed from other worthwhile pursuits like skiing, hiking, walking, and golfing all that provide more health benefits that the typical game day fare.

Now we sit idly as we wait for kickoff after devouring a beignet egg sandwich. Bingham only ate the egg, which makes me wonder why I spent money to get the full sandwich. Anyhow, every parent knows this drama all too well. We wait patiently preparing for tonight’s match up that will start well past Bingham’s bedtime. The anticipation is real. The memories will last a lifetime. All we asked is for victory for Washington. It may not save the world or our souls; however, it will capture our hearts bringing us together in a momentous affair. BEAT TEXAS.

My Lessons: Memories are important. They don’t have to be bowl games. They came from playing monopoly and cribbage. They come from sharing experiences that will make an indelible on him. They already having him saying he wants to go to the University of Washington. That 529 will come in handy soon enough.

Love,

Dad