Most big schools in the United States have sports engraved into their culture, but some take it to the next level. For instance, in the south, where the SEC is located, football has become an integral part of people's daily lives. This can be attributed to the fact that the youth in that region start playing the sport as early as 5 years old. Another important aspect to look at is the winning culture that programs in the south have created through the increased involvement of students, boosters, and alumni at their schools.
This enthusiasm is especially prevalent in these 7 college fan bases. Various fan bases stand out more than others, so I will be talking about how the following schools have developed their school spirit and what makes their fan bases special.
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7. University of Georgia
Georgia has created a winning culture on their campus. It starts with the players performing on the field and ends with their fiery fans filling their stadiums. They rank among the top 10 in total fan attendance in the NCAA and were the only SEC team to have 100 percent fan attendance throughout their entire season in 2021. The players' ability to always count on their fans to show up in Athens put them at number seven on my list.
6. University of Florida
Although the Gators' success has been inconsistent over the past 10 years, their fans have not been. Nicknamed “The Swamp,” the fans at the University of Florida always bring an intense energy that intimidates their opponents just as alligators do in the wild.
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5. Clemson University
No surprise here, another SEC school with an amazing fan base. The Clemson football program has always been successful, and on top of that, they have found amazing ways to keep their fans involved. The school has done a great job of fan engagement on social media and filling their stadium with orange Tiger rags.
4. University of Nebraska
It may be weird to see the University of Nebraska on this list since their football team has not had a good season in a while, but their fans have not stopped showing support. They even have a sellout streak that dates back to John F. Kennedy's presidency. Back in 2000, some 30,000 Husker fans filled Notre Dame, creating a sea of red in their enemy's territory. Although the Husker's do not have any traditions like some other schools, they have a pure passion when it comes to their school's football team.
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3. Ohio State University
On top of having a stadium that can hold 105,000 fans, everyone in attendance at Ohio Stadium comes with intense energy. When the team is doing well, you can hear the stadium uproar of “O-H-I-O” throughout campus.
2. University of Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines are newcomers to this list, having a big change in fan intensity during home games in the 2021 season. Michigan Stadium is on the larger end of college football stadiums with a capacity of 100,000 fans. If the Wolverines continue their good play, it would not come as a surprise for their fanbase to take the top spot on this list.
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1. Louisiana State University
If you are looking for the best experience at a college football game, Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the place to go. LSU has a long history of success, and their fans appreciate it. This might change as the Tigers recently replaced head coach Orgeron, but as of right now, their fan base takes the top spot in college sports.
On top of watching a college sports game, attending a sporting event at one of these schools is an experience like no other. Whether it comes from a successful program, deep-rooted traditions, or a good social media presence, these schools have found the best ways to keep their fans involved as they pursue championship seasons.
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* Originally published on March 23, 2022, by Royce Linder
