"I can feel it's a big thing," second-year College student Jonathan Chung said of the impending Super Bowl.
An international student, Chung has never seen the Super Bowl.
Yet, as Super Bowl XL -- Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seattle Seahawks -- approaches, even Chung can tell that the Super Bowl is an enormous deal in this country. For many people in the United States, regardless of their national background, the Super Bowl is an annual tradition. One of the most watched television programs of the year in the U.S., the Super Bowl attracts over 100 million viewers throughout the game.
Even those from other countries are quick to catch on to the tradition. While some like Chung prefer to stay away from the game, others are eager to jump right into the American customs that come along with Super Bowl Sunday.
"I'm not American, so I've done nothing [so far]," first-year Engineering student Henrik Lindblad said. "It'll be my first [this year]. I'm going over to my [friend's place], because he's got a gigantic TV."
Even those who generally do not watch football make an exception for the biggest game of the year.
"I'm really not a football fan," third-year College student Joe Guyton said. "It's one of the few times a year I watch anNFL game."
For many, the plans for Super Bowl night vary from year to year.
"I always just get together with a bunch of friends and watch, but it depends on the game," second-year College student Amina Noor said. "This year, I don't really like any of the teams, so it's less of a big event."
Third-year College student Bryan Smith agreed. He said his best Super Bowl was probably the one "where I was actually interested in who would win. I'm a big Cowboys fan. [Besides that], they're all about the same. I get together with friends, or I watch it with my brother and couple of his friends over at their apartment. [I like] the small group atmosphere."
Some students, on the other hand, are trying to do something new for this year's Super Bowl.
"I'm going to be in a paper football tournament in Newcomb," first-year Engineering student Scott Driskill said.
Others are also trying to take advantage of the University and Charlottesville community.
"We might even try to get a spot in Mellow Mushroom," first-year College student Nick Chavez said. But "usually, I just go over to a friend's house and check out the game. I try not to mooch off their food, so I'll bring something."
Indeed, most students seem to enjoy sticking to the same annual traditions. Third-year student Chris Coleman and his brother, first-year student Dave Coleman, fall under this category.
"Wings and beer and a big screen TV," Chris said. "And lots of gambling -- don't forget that. [Starting with] who gets kickoff"
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