Tag Archives: gameday

Not Kicking the Flag Pole

Context:

The informant is a member of the Trojan Marching Band at USC. At the same time, the informant is a strong supporter of USC school spirit and marching band traditions, and is very knowledgeable about band “lore” and internal practices.

Text:

One of the most well known game day traditions at USC is kicking the pole before leaving campus through Exposition Blvd to attend the football game. This tradition is said to symbolize luck, some even say that if you don’t perform it, you will bring bad luck to the football team.

According to my informant, the marching band does the same thing as well. As they march in formation and pass the pole, all members stop the cadence for a second and kick the pole. Upperclassmen even make sure that freshmen who are catching up with the tradition perform the ritual in time.

However, after the game is finished, when the marching band is marching back to campus and passing by the same pole, people are not allowed to kick it anymore. It is the total opposite this time—if you kick it, you would give bad luck to the football team for their next game.

“The worst thing is,” the informant said in exclamation, “the general fans are not aware of this tradition. They would kick the pole on their way back in front of us! That always annoys me!”

Analysis:

The “pole kicking” tradition at USC illustrates how folk rituals create meaning through collective practice, timing, and shared knowledge. Although the action itself is simple, its significance changes depending on context. Within the marching band, the ritual also functions as a form of group coordination and identity, reinforcing shared participation through performance. At the same time, the informant’s frustration with general fans unknowingly breaking the rule highlights how such traditions can serve as markers of insider knowledge, distinguishing those who understand the “correct” practice from those who do not.

“Happy Game Day” Helmet Bump

Context:

The informant is a member of the Trojan Marching Band at USC. At the same time, the informant is a strong supporter of USC school spirit and marching band traditions, and is very knowledgeable about band “lore” and internal practices.

Text:

Before the marching band marches into the field to perform their pregame show, the band typically waits in the tunnel for around 20 minutes with little to do. During this break, members began a practice known as the “helmet bump.” This involves two members holding hands, congratulating each other with “happy game day,” and then gently bumping their helmets together. Over time, this developed into a game day tradition. During the 20-minute wait, members try to repeat the ritual with as many people in their section as possible, and it is said to help calm nerves before going onto the field to perform. As the tradition evolved, some sections also began giving short section speeches. This waiting period has come to mark the official start of game day for the marching band.

Analysis:

The “helmet bump” tradition illustrates how informal practices can emerge within structured performance environments as a way of managing emotions. Through repeated physical gestures and verbal affirmation, members reinforce interpersonal bonds while also reaffirming their shared identity as a section and as part of the larger marching band. As the practice evolves to include section speeches and wider participation, it also shows how folk rituals can gradually become institutionalized within a group, marking the transition from preparation time to the formal beginning of game day.