This story is about the Mizzou vs Missouri State football match. As an international student, I enjoyed the match last Saturday with another colleague. We bought tickets online, so we just printed out the permit to show the guard. Before that we struggled for parking along with thousands of people from all directions all focused on one spot. Adolescents, elderly, adults, even children were all wearing the same colorful T-shirts representing MIZZOU -with yellow and the mascot tiger!
When we came through the gate of stadium, We saw a huge screen typed welcome ZOU and some sponsor’s names. There is hollow space underneath of the screen, at this point where I was standing, the entire stadium was in my range of vision. Spectacular! It was like a Roman arena, two wings standing around the middle field. Citizens waited in their seats. The police and volunteers worked on every passage and gates. Such a wonderful organization
Next, hundreds of Guards of Honor and cheerleaders came to the middle of field to perform a conventional American ritual. They were so proficient and confident. People applauded them with enthusiasm. Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the stadium consistently increased.
Twenty minutes later, the ceremony was finished, and the match kicked off. Forty eight players on a team. Eleven on offense and eleven on defense. Mizzou was hosting, whenever there was a touchdown, there were fireworks and salute in the sky. The audience shouted and cheered. The Mascot tiger danced and the cheerleaders did their show. It was as colorful as a carnival. The score was changed frequently, sometimes the Tigers led, and sometimes they fell behind. With half the game over, during the intermission, people accumulated at the back of the stadium. Stores, fast-food, drinks, even the restrooms were designed to be efficient and convenient. But most important was Mizzou leading the game, fans enjoying the happiness as a community.
Finally, Mizzou won the match! To me it was a incredible day, with thousands of Americans focused together on one thing, that has never happened in my life!
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