Badger Traditions – The Soul of Wisconsin Football

If the team is the heart, the fans are the soul. Without fans, what is anyone even playing for? You are a new student at Wisconsin (or you are just a new fan). What traditions do you need to know that keep Wisconsin unique and special?

Jump Around

This is the classic. Wisconsin has been known for Jump Around at the end of the 3rd quarter for over 25 years. Jump Around by House of Pain plays, and the crowd goes wild. It’s simple, yet effective and very memorable.

Arch March

The football team is dropped off by buses at Camp Randall Arch 2 hours before kickoff. Fans line the path to the stadium to cheer for the team on their way in.

Build Me Up Buttercup / Party in the USA

There will always be sing-alongs at college football games. And over time, some songs will become more popular, and others will fade. These two sing-alongs have stood the test of time at Wisconsin, and when you realize everyone is singing except you, you’ll understand they can never be taken out of the rotation.

The Wave 2.0

So a lot of fans do the wave at football games. That’s not unique. But I’ve never seen the wave executed like at Wisconsin. After the wave gets going, the student section starts changing it every time it passes them. Faster, slower, reversing direction, and even splitting the wave in two.

The 5th Quarter

Have you ever wanted the band to play an extra show besides just pregame and halftime? Did you also want that extra show to be a little more casual and interactive? Well, may I present the 5th quarter. An extra band show after the game on the field. It was invented back when the Badgers were bad (the dark times), and people only came to see the band. The director figured he could make them stay for the whole game if he did another show when the game was over. And forevermore, there are 5 quarters at a Wisconsin football game.

1st and 10 Wisconsin

This one is nice and simple. Wisconsin gets a first down, you yell first and 10 Wisconsin, and point in the proper direction. Even the old people don’t screw up this one.

Bucky’s Pushups

Every time Wisconsin scores, Bucky has to do pushups equal to the total points Wisconsin has at the time. The students count them out for him so he doesn’t miss any. High scoring games can be a real workout for Bucky Badger.

If You Want to Be a Badger / Space Badger / Hot Time / Roll Out the Barrel

More sing-alongs, but some of these are Badger themed. The band plays these songs instead of the DJ, so they will be around forever. Since COVID, the students have forgotten the words, but hopefully they can get back into it with some success on the gridiron. On top of these being sing-alongs, there are also some dance moves you’ll need to pair with these songs.

Varsity

The Alma Mater. The lyrics are simple, just make sure your neighbor is someone you’re willing to put your arm around and sway with. Don’t sway your drunk friend too much, though.

We Want More (BEER)!!!

The cheer team would never promote alcohol consumption. So they put up the signs to get the crowd to yell “We Want More.” And points are the implied 4th word. Well screw that, I yell Beer with the students like a proper Wisconsinite.

Eat Chips, Fondue

A totally innocuous call and response chant that the students like to do. They are definitely not yelling anything inappropriate that has been picked up by TV crews.

Chopping Down the Goalposts

The winner of The Axe trophy in the rivalry week matchup between Wisconsin and Minnesota earns this celebration. The team takes the trophy around the edge of the field for fans to touch, then simulates cutting down the opposing team’s goalpost with the trophy. From 2004 to 2017, Wisconsin cut down the goalposts every year like it was clockwork. These days, it’s a battle to win The Axe every year. Wisconsin came up short in 2024. There’s only one opportunity to chop down the goalposts per season, but that’s what makes it special.

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This article was written by Cole Tollison and edited by Hayden Breene