The Power of the Thundering Herd

If you took a drive around North Dakota today, roads were eerily empty, bars were extremely packed and you could hear a faint hum of “Let’s go Bison!” in the background. If you haven’t heard (which I don’t know how that is possible) the NDSU Bison are FCS National Champions!!

In the days leading up to the game, Bison pride was everywhere around Fargo. From billboards, to store fronts proudly sporting signs, to even employees at Wal-Mart wearing green and gold to work instead of the standard of blue. While I am proud of my purple and gold JMU roots, I have to admit that I had never lived in a place where the athletic spirit was so contagious. Everyone in the state of North Dakota, and throughout other reaches of the country as well, seemed to be cheering on the Bison. I don’t think it is too outlandish to say that all 650,000 North Dakotans were glued to their TV or witnessing magic live in Frisco.

I myself decided to venture to the Fargo North Buffalo Wild Wings location to get my cheering on. You could feel the enthusiasm and excitement as you walked in the restaurant. Fans were there at 9:00 a.m. in order to get seats before the game and no one seemed daunted by the three hour wait that was ahead of them before the action began. Needless to say everyone was decked out head to toe in green and gold, even the beer.

While I have plenty to say about the fabulousness of the game, what really stood out to me over and over was the pride the community had in their team. Looking at the stadium drenched in green and gold, even the announcers felt it necessary to point out that there were more Bison fans in Frisco than Sam Houston fans. This could be a pretty surprising facts to those not familiar with the NDSU community because we are over 1,000 miles away while Sam Houston is practically down the road. However, no one in North Dakota seemed that surprised by the remarkable turnout. Bleeding green and gold is a lifetime commitment for those from NDSU.

So congratulations Bison. The whole state was rooting for you and we couldn’t be more proud. In order to commemorate your awesome victory, I decided a poem was in order. So here we go:

Twas the day of the Bison game and all through North Dakota,

Not a bar was empty, not even in Minnesota.

The fans were poised on the bar stools with care,

In hope that a winning team would soon be flying back to Hector Air.

All eyes were glued to the TV screens and wishfully pled,

While visions of FCS Championship trophies danced in their heads.

With one fan in gold another fan in green,

Everyone was ready to watch this remarkable scene.

When all of asudden there arose whoops and a scream,

I sprang out of my chair to cheer on my team!

When what from the tunnel in Frisco should appear,

But stampeding Bison running out with no fear.

Running, receiving, defense galore,

Before you knew it there was score after score.

Go Williams, Go Jenkins, and D.J. McNorton,

Go Ojuri, Coach Bohl and all other Bison.

With a rough first two quarters it was finally half,

We’ve got this fans cheered and smiled and laughed.

Whatever Bohl said during the break,

Those Bearkats were doomed and began to shake.

A touchdown in the third and they were on a roll,

Thank goodness for the words of dear ol’ Coach Bohl.

A few key interceptions and the game was ours,

The cheering began throughout the bars.

“Let’s go Bison!” rang loud a clear,

The win was very, very near.

17 to 6 was the final score,

North Dakota erupted in the giant roar.

For those people who would say, “North Dakota, where’s that?”

And associated Fargo with a funny way to chat,

Who thought pronouncing ”Bizen” was a funny way to say a word,

You underestimated the power of the THUNDERING HERD!