It was a crazy weekend here in Kansas City, with Mizzou and KU football teams facing off on the gridiron at Arrowhead Stadium. Both football teams had a surprisingly amazing season, and Saturday night’s game would more than likely determine the newest #1 ranked college football team in the BCS. And it did – after maintaining the lead through the entire game, the Missouri Tigers came out on top.

These two teams’ long-standing border war brought out an abundance of spirit in the Kansas City area. Alumni and current students alike flocked to the sports bars and even came out to tailgate at the game, despite not having tickets. I was actually present at the tailgaiting festivities while working on a fundraiser for a local charity, so I got to witness a lot of the “spirit” firsthand. Most of it was all in good fun, but there were the occasional razzings between KU and MU tailgaters that pushed the envelope. Luckily there was lots of security present to keep things under control.

Seeing everyone come out to support their alma maters in this huge, nationally televised sporting event, made me realize something that I missed out on in my college experience. I went to a large university, comparable in ungraduate enrollment to MU, however our athletics programs were not much of a draw for school spirit. Besides women’s basketball, we rarely had a noteworthy team in any of the major spectator sports. I think I may have attended only one football game, and that was freshman year homecoming. Going to any games was never a major function on our campus.

I watched everyone proudly sporting their team colors on their clothing, noted the various anti-Jayhawk or anti-Tiger paraphernalia dragging behind their vehicles, and listened unfamiliarly to their fight songs (I don’t even know if I would recognize my alma mater’s fight song!). I reminisced on my university experience, and while I had a great time, got a great education, and made some life-long friends, I feel like I missed out on something. But it was something I didn’t even take into consideration when choosing a school.

I guess the lesson here is to think of all the things you want out of a college education, not just the degree or the location. Think about the memories you will make during your extracurricular activities. And think beyond your undergraduate years on campus. Do you hope to be a proud alumnus supporting your school for years to come? Or are you content to get in and get out? While college can certainly be done over again (they will be glad to take your money a second time around), wouldn’t it be better to get your ideal experience the first time around?