Parents Weekend Football game

[Christcorp]

tester is correct. There are some people who really have no desire whatsoever to watch a football game. That is understandable. However, Air Force Football is about a lot more than the game. Especially for parents and family members of the new cadet, who don't have a military background.

The cadets all marching onto the field. The flyovers. Watching the cadets in the stands, their support, camaraderie. For many non-military family members, it's a chance to see and understand a little of what their son/daughter has gotten into and committed to. Seeing the excitement in many of the young cadet's eyes. Even if the cadets (Freshmen Doolies) are totally burnt out from the last 8-10 weeks. There's still an excitement. Stopping by your cadet's squadron tailgate or even thudgate and seeing what the "Military Family" is truly like. There will always be some similarities to a traditional university. But there will be an atmosphere that is different. Many times it can't be explained.

There's been so many parents who came to that first parent's weekend football game, who could care less about it. Afterwards, there was a different excitement within them. Not necessarily about the game, but of the entire experience. Next thing you know, depending on where they live, they come back to a number of other games. One family in particular I remember, didn't even know how to keep score in football. They lived in Kansas. After a couple games and trips to the academy, they became season ticket holders for the entire 4 years their kid was at the academy. And their kid wasn't even involved in football. But this family BECAME part of the "Air Force Family". They came for the camaraderie, see their kid, come to Thudgate, and enjoy their new "Air Force Family".

And for what it's worth, this IS a D-1 football game. The opponent is D1-AA instead of D1-A. Just about every D1-A team in the country plays a D1-AA (FCS) team in their schedule. And there have been quite a few times when that FCS team was more hungry than the FBS team and won. And a loss is a loss, and a win is a win on a team's records. Many a team has lost because they though too low of their competition.

 

[2018DAD]

Can echo CC,
I am SEC raised and while the experience is totally different, it is totally fun if you get into it.
I do not miss the 100k plus with drunks, characters, fights and real traffic jams that gridlock a lot of small southern cities.
However the TGE (total game experience) will stack up well with the best of them)!
Some of my personal favorites:

Military grade pat-downs & wanding and bag inspections. ( don't believe a lot of good southern bourbon would make it in here!)

Roving security is armed with M4 & M9 really get your attention!

Never been to any game before where you look out on the field during the National Anthem and the cheerleaders and players are saluting. Way different than anything you've ever seen.

Parachuting in to the 50 day or night...makes for a great start. The Bird in his costume surely must have some degree of risk with all that on!

Doolie push-up brigade.

Seeing the Comm and Supt and Dean in the Cadet area a lot of the game!

Cool flyovers with great hardware and usually LOUD!

AND SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST:

Where else are you going to see a Jumbotron ad for a pop-up truck barrier and see a large truck get destroyed by trying to run thru it! (Really thinking about a impulse buy for my driveway [emoji12])
Definitely a first for me at any football game!

All in all we have a very good time and yes it most definitely a way to support USAFA.

I once ran into the Supt at a basketball game and she'd spotted me there before and she thanked me for "Supporting our Cadets"! And isn't that what it is all about

Had to edit: Do not ever miss the opportunity to participate in the Thudgate Toast!
Very, very emotional and moving.

 

[vshun]

Did the parent's discount code come out yet?

And I disagree with 'going big' for this game, especially. This is not d-1 football, this is an exhibition. This will not be a competitive game whatsoever and 3/4 of my family could not care less about football. The only reason they go is to see our son/brother for a few extra minutes.

Last year we bought $4 tickets/hot dogs/caps for $80 - thought it was a decent deal. Did not see it this year. Wife found someone in different area parent club distributing $27 tickets in $50 retail price section so we went with it. Let me know if you need contact for that deal.
Like some other posters, we are not into football, could not watch it even when my son was on the field back in HS, so we do it just for the spirit of supporting USAFA.