This is the first Big Weekend at Western, and Saturday is the Big Day. If you’ve been living in a shell, it’s the first full week of college — no one should go home on the weekend. The Lady Topper volleyball team is hosting this weekend and on the Big Day, kickoff for the first home football game of the season is set for 6:30 p.m. against South Florida.
There’s a certain etiquette that comes with being a true Hilltopper. You see, we have school colors — red and white. On game day, don’t be caught wearing the enemy’s colors — I mean USF’s. Don your Western t-shirt or participate in the Blackout.
Speaking of school colors and spirit, seeing “Hilltoppers” walking around sporting that dastardly blue attire is sacrilegious.
You know what I’m talking about. The School-That-Must-Not-Be-Named. That goes for the Big Bird, too.
Before you get your fur or feathers mussed, who gave you that full-ride scholarship? The second chance to return to college after you failed out?
The same goes for faculty and staff. Whom are you employed by?
Three words: Western Kentucky University.
Sporting attire from another college should be considered inappropriate for faculty and staff. In high school, did you wear the colors of your crosstown rival?
Friday, I was walking past Helm-Cravens when an orange and white blob approached me. Yes, a “Hilltopper” was clad in Tennessee Volunteer apparel — the day before the game.
Maybe that student grew up in Knoxville. Perhaps they were born into a Volunteer-loving family. Maybe his brother plays for the Vols. Maybe that student is attending the wrong university.
Sure, our boys took a hit Saturday. Don’t forget Western is the newest addition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A) — this is the first season they’re eligible to win a Sun Belt title and receive a Bowl Berth.
We’re participating in a football series with Kentucky (whose men’s basketball team did not receive any votes in the ESPN/USA Today preseason poll, while Western received 11) so the only time students should be wearing a blue kitty-cat shirt is if they’re rolling around in the mud.
Please wear red. Attend Western athletic events and brag about them.
A diehard Hilltopper humorously put it this way: “The only time I’d go to a U of L-UK game would be if I were strapped with explosives.”
I’m not suggesting that Western students should become terrorists. I’m suggesting that Hilltoppers should reach for their Red Towel and never let go!
The Spirit Makes the Master.
This commentary does not represent the views of the Herald or the university.
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“We’re participating in a football series with Kentucky (whose men’s basketball team did not receive any votes in the ESPN/USA Today preseason poll, while Western received 11) so the only time students should be wearing a blue kitty-cat shirt is if they’re rolling around in the mud.”
First off I’m not sure how we made the transition from football to basketball there. Secondly there are no official preseason rankings out for basketball yet, and even if there was U.K would be a modest top 10 team. With the two top recruits in the country according to rivals coming into the program along with Patrick Patterson and new head coach John Calipari there is no way that U.K won’t be top 25. But the point is that she made a claim that isn’t even true. There should be a retraction.
You’re correct in stating that there hasn’t been a preseason poll out. I believe she was inferring about the post-season poll that came out after the season, and after the Final Four. (Don’t forget who was in the NCAA tournament this year, and who wasn’t)
There is no way with John Calipari that all of his athletes will stay in school for four years. Ride the success of the program while you can. UK athletes are horrible role models for children. They set the bar low, allow athletes with lower grades in, and then allow them to leave one or two years after graduating high school. What example does that set for any young player?
I’m 100% down with this article. Excellent job, excellent post: GO TOPS!
As long as WKU settles for sweet sixteens and participation trophies, I will continue to root for the Kentucky Wildcats as they win National Championships.
Look for me tomorrow, I’ll be decked out in blue and white.
Glad to see you’re proud of your school, Austin. We’re glad to have you as a supportive member of our Hilltopper community. Go you! I love the subtle beauty of your words and how you support the best team that has done sooooo much better than WKU in the past few years. I’m absolutely, 100% proud to call you a fellow Hilltopper and you don’t make me question why people like you attend this school. Please continue to exercise your freedom of speech so respectfully and eloquently, so we may continue to benefit from your words.
My colleagues and I find it amusing that it is inferred that anyone should choose a school based on their sports team… unless they are on said team.
I think that a positive thinking could help both parts here. You know the saying make love not war?
Good point university. I’ve taken my deep breath. I apologize for the sarcasm. Go Tops!