In Game
Before the game kicks off, Rutgers makes a unique, and new entrance that was instituted by former coach Greg Schiano. As the Scarlet Knights make their way onto the field, one player is chosen each week to haul out an axe and drive it into a stump to symbolize Coach Schiano’s keep chopping mantra. The players and crowd go bananas after the axe crushes through the stump and shortly after kickoff takes place.
Rutgers is in New Jersey home to Jon Bon Jovi, and to show this part of their background at the games a 12-year-old boy, Nicholas Sasso, nicknamed Lil’ Jovi will get on the jumbotron and crank out Livin on a Prayer on the air guitar. This tradition started by accident as he was first caught doing it by chance and has become a staple of gameday with his act.
Here comes the boom, Rutgers won’t just remind you with a good hit across the middle they’ll show it to you. The Knights keep a loaded cannon in section 131, and the tradition goes back to when they used to play against Princeton each year, numerous tales of cannon stealing and pranks ensued over time, but the tradition is kept alive today. So, cover your ears when the Knights take one in for six because it’s going to be a blast.
At the end of the game, the band plays the school’s Alma Mater song and the crowd sings along, which is typical at many stadiums. However, at Rutgers what makes this unique is the band usually lets one graduating senior come down and conduct the band for it. Talk about creating a lasting memory.
Things to check out
Cannon
In section 131, the Scarlet Knights keep a loaded cannon, keeping alive a tradition that dates back to the 1800s and when Rutgers used to play Princeton University, who also have a cannon. Many jokes and pranks have been pulled over the years between these two schools, making the cannon a staple of HighPoint.com Stadium.
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Rutgers’ Scarlet Knight
Rutgers’ Scarlet Knight mascot has been appearing at games since 1955. The mascot can be seen in his scarlet armor riding his trusty white charger on game day and is a great part of the Rutgers football tradition. Look for the Scarlet Knight to energize the crowd when you’re at a Rutgers football game.
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Fight Songs
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Fight Song
March, men of Rutgers
Down the field today.
March to another score,
Forward to the fray;
Fight, men of Rutgers
As in days gone by
Fight! For the Scarlet Flag over the rest must fly.Keep Rutgers colors to the fore
For they must win so fight, fight, fight!
And we’ll advance some more to score,
The Rutgers flag flies high tonight, alright, alright
We’ll fling the Scarlet Banner out,
And Rutgers men will fight, fight, fight, fight, fight;
The bells of Queens each victory shout
The bells of Queens must ring tonight.RU, Rah, Rah;
RU, Rah, Rah,
Whoo-Rah, Whoo-Rah;
Rutgers RahUp Stream Red Team
Red Team Up Stream
Rah, Rah, Rutgers RahKeep Rutgers colors to the fore
For they must win so fight, fight, fight!
And we’ll advance some more to score,
The Rutgers flag flies high tonight, alright, alright
We’ll fling the Scarlet Banner out,
And Rutgers men will fight, fight, fight, fight, fight;
The bells of Queens each victory shout
The bells of Queens must ring tonight. -
On The Banks of the Old Raritan
From far and near we came to Rutgers,
And resolved to learn all that we can;
And so we settled down,
In that noisy college town,
On the banks of the old Raritan.Chorus:
On the banks of the old Raritan (my friends) Where old Rutgers evermore shall stand,
For has she not stood
Since the time of the flood,
On the banks of the old Raritan. Then sing aloud to Alma Mater
And keep the scarlet in the van’
For with her motto high Rutgers’ name shall never die On the banks of the old Raritan.
Repeat Chorus
