Why ‘Jump Around’ At Camp Randall Might Be The Best Tradition In Sports

When it comes to sports, there are a lot of well-known traditions, like the Seventh-Inning Stretch in baseball or the extravagant hats at the Kentucky Derby. But one sport takes traditions to a whole new level: college athletics.

College football, in particular, is packed with unique rituals. From the University of Oklahoma’s Sooner Schooner, a covered wagon pulled by a pair of white horses, to the University of Colorado’s Ralphie’s Run, featuring a live bison sprinting across the field, traditions run deep.

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'Jump Around' Puts Wisconsin in National Spotlight

USA Today is holding its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, and one of the categories asks, “Which college sports tradition is the best?” A well-known Wisconsin game day moment has made the top 10.

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At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, one of the most energetic traditions happens at the end of the third quarter during home football games at Camp Randall Stadium. As House of Pain’s "Jump Around" starts playing, the entire stadium turns into a bouncing sea of red and white.

How It All Started

The tradition began in October 1998 when the song was played over the stadium speakers for the first time. The fan response was so massive that the athletic department quickly made it part of every home game.

And yes, fans really do jump around. The movement is so intense that in 2003, university officials paused the tradition out of concern for the stadium’s structural integrity. The backlash was immediate. After engineers gave the green light, the song returned and the bouncing resumed.

Vote to Make It #1

Right now, Wisconsin’s “Jump Around” tradition is in 9th place with less than two weeks left to vote. So pause the party for a minute, cast your vote, and help push this unforgettable tradition to the top spot.