Kicking Off Another Season with the Ichabods

Sports season has started, and we’re already two weeks into the Washburn football season. We kicked things off with both games played at home. We won the first game but lost the second. We've attended both home games and plan to make it to all but two games this season. The weather has been fantastic—yesterday’s game was played in the 60s to 70s. Hard to believe, and definitely no complaints. This is great!

We started the season against Truman State University, winning 20–17. Our tailgate group was smaller at first, but a few more people showed up throughout the game. We've decided to set up our canopy for every game, regardless of the forecast. It helps keep the sun off us and provides protection in case of other weather.

We’re in the same tailgate spot we’ve had for the past fifteen-plus years, and it’s great to be next to our longtime neighbors. We always have a good time, and it was fun to see Washburn get the first win of the season. At one point, my friend Javier and I tried to figure out when we started going to football games and tailgating. We think it was around 2004 or 2005, when Carrie and I were living in Lawrence—but we’re not entirely sure. That would make it about twenty years of Washburn football and tailgating.

Yesterday, we attended the second game, and Washburn lost 34–7. As the game was ending, we were discussing whether the opponent had returned to their former level of greatness or if Truman State, who we beat the week before, just wasn’t very good. It’s still too early to tell, but we had a good time at the game despite the loss.

Carrie had a nice spot to “watch” the second half of the game yesterday. Now, Carrie doesn’t really like football—she goes because I enjoy it, and she loves tailgating. We brought a lounge chair for her, and during the second half, she was relaxing along the wall at the back of the tent, reading and enjoying the day. I’m thankful she’s out there with me for both the tailgate and game time.

With two home games behind us, Washburn will be on the road for the next few weeks. We won’t be back home until September 27, when we play the University of Nebraska–Kearney. Hoping we can get another win—or two—before we return home at the end of the month.

It’s fun to be back at the stadium cheering on the Washburn University Ichabods. It’s an exciting season with a new head coach, and we couldn’t ask for better weather. Until next time, have a great week—and see you at the game!