slo’s FRIDAY 10/14 poll - High School Football Games

[RedAngie]

So people go to watch stranger's kids play football? why?

HS football is THE social event in some parts of the US.

Perhaps similar to lower level junior hockey in parts of Canada.

 

[amcnj]

Tonight happens to be my old High School’s Homecoming game. I am debating whether to go to it. I went as part of my graduating class reunion weekend maybe six years ago. I am not sure if reunions are back yet, and of course it isn’t time for another “big one” for my class yet.

 

[AndreaDM]

So people go to watch stranger's kids play football? why?

Small towns/cities with not much else going on. And most of them aren't strangers, people go to the games in the school district they live in, so if they don't have a child playing, they probably have another relative, a neighbor, someone they know is on the team, OR like my husband's uncle who never had kids but played in high school who still like to go occasionally and keep up with everything. And yeah, it's a social event to some extent.

 

[design_mom]

I was in the marching band in high school. My nephew was in marching band in high school, and my daughter was in marching band in high school. I’ve been to a lot of games to see the band, but none this year (my daughter graduated last year.)

I don’t like football. I think I was a senior before I realized you got 6 points for a touchdown (I thought it was 7 + 3 for kicking it through afterwards, for a nice round 10 points per scoring chance. I guess you can tell how much attention I paid to the actual games!)

 

[1420Elexismc]

In High School, I went because I was in the marching band so I had to. Now we will go because its traditional for the pop warner town team(which my son plays on) to go and support the "big" boys that are playing. It's cute to see them get all excited to see the high school kids play.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Small towns/cities with not much else going on. And most of them aren't strangers, people go to the games in the school district they live in, so if they don't have a child playing, they probably have another relative, a neighbor, someone they know is on the team, OR like my husband's uncle who never had kids but played in high school who still like to go occasionally and keep up with everything. And yeah, it's a social event to some extent.

I can see the social aspect in small towns.

 

[Colleen27]

So people go to watch stranger's kids play football? why?

Small town, not much else going on. HS football is HUGE in my community - one year, the city moved trick or treating because Halloween fell on a Friday night during playoffs and no one would have been home to hand out candy. But we're the kind of town that rolls up the sidewalks at dusk, so really, there's nothing else to do for fun in the fall/winter unless you're into sad little dive bars. And since everybody more or less knows everybody around here, it really doesn't feel like going to see strangers play. Even if you don't know any of the kids on the field particularly well, odds are they work at businesses you frequent or mow lawns in your neighborhood in the summer, and you're almost guaranteed to run into friends, neighbors and acquaintances to chat with in the bleachers.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I selected, Yes, No and Support. When Vince was playing his 4 years of HS football and 1 year of college ball, we went to the games. We did not go before then, nor since then. I also used to drive out to Dubuque IA (3 hours from home) to surprise Vince once in awhile, unplanned, when he was practicing. I would just go sit in the almost totally empty stands. At some point he would see me, wave and then get back to business. We would go out to dinner afterwards and then I would head home. I think he liked those little surprises every so often. I miss those days.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Small town, not much else going on. HS football is HUGE in my community - one year, the city moved trick or treating because Halloween fell on a Friday night during playoffs and no one would have been home to hand out candy. But we're the kind of town that rolls up the sidewalks at dusk, so really, there's nothing else to do for fun in the fall/winter unless you're into sad little dive bars. And since everybody more or less knows everybody around here, it really doesn't feel like going to see strangers play. Even if you don't know any of the kids on the field particularly well, odds are they work at businesses you frequent or mow lawns in your neighborhood in the summer, and you're almost guaranteed to run into friends, neighbors and acquaintances to chat with in the bleachers.

My kid's high school has 2000 students lol. He's never attended a game but neither him or his friends play.

 

[tvguy]

Between my high school days, and taking my two kids to their high school games before they could drive themselves I bet I have been to about 10 High School Football games. Just not my thing.

 

[Colleen27]

My kid's high school has 2000 students lol. He's never attended a game but neither him or his friends play.

Ours has around 500, and between the football team, marching band/color guard and cheer, at least 1/3 of the school is actually on the field at some point on football nights. My freshman didn't do band this year and doesn't know anyone on the varsity football team, but enough of her friends are in band or on the JV team (who are strongly encouraged to attend varsity events) that she likes to go anyway.

 

[Walt's Dream]

Went to a few games in high school. None since, but I live about 6 blocks from a high school and love to hear the home games and the bands. Reminds me of Fall!
Now, as for college football, you bet! My 2 college teams are playing tomorrow - I've been a loyal Washington Husky fan for over 40 years...Go Dawgs!

 

[Boopuff]

We used to go - for the band! Our DD marched all 4years. We’d sit with the band parents and most left right after halftime. I miss it every so often

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Other: I go to support a band kid.

So people go to watch stranger's kids play football? why?

They sure do. Some places, that's all there really is to do Friday nights. Some places, the entire town's identity and lives in the fall revolve around the high school football team. If Thanksgiving fell on a Friday, they'd move it.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Nope - we are a lacrosse family. I never miss a home game there though.

 

[Dan Murphy]

*Inspiration for today’s poll. is DD19 going to her past high school football game tonight to meet up with some friends - her and her friends are on fall break from college.

I forgot to add, Sandy, that I hope you and DH have a great time visiting with your Katie. I know you will!

 

[tvguy]

Went to a few games in high school. None since, but I live about 6 blocks from a high school and love to hear the home games and the bands. Reminds me of Fall!
Now, as for college football, you bet! My 2 college teams are playing tomorrow - I've been a loyal Washington Husky fan for over 40 years...Go Dawgs!

Every Saturday I am amazed at how many College games are being televised. Clearly I am in the minority. I just think of College as a place to learn. I did go to a few of my College games, but we weren't a big College, and they have since dropped football.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Ours has around 500, and between the football team, marching band/color guard and cheer, at least 1/3 of the school is actually on the field at some point on football nights. My freshman didn't do band this year and doesn't know anyone on the varsity football team, but enough of her friends are in band or on the JV team (who are strongly encouraged to attend varsity events) that she likes to go anyway.

Every Saturday I am amazed at how many College games are being televised. Clearly I am in the minority. I just think of College as a place to learn. I did go to a few of my College games, but we weren't a big College, and they have since dropped football.

Not sure what colour quard is but at least in my city high school's didn't (and don't) really have marching bands.
Yes college football isn't big here either. I've never gone to a college game as a student or staff. Don't know if they are televised at all. Maybe on a local station?

 

[georgina]

Nope. I did attend plenty of high school field hockey and lacrosse games when my DDs were playing though.

 

[Mysterian]

So people go to watch stranger's kids play football? why?

1.They're the coach!
2.They're a talent scout
3.They're not actually watching the kids, they just want to be around people because their life is a soul-sucking void, and they need to prove that tomorrow there will be a sun that shines.
4.They're selling hot dogs.