Whether you're an athlete or just an avid fan, collegiate sports provide an experience that you'll never forget. The mascots, rivalries, and connection you feel to the school and the team playing create an atmosphere that, for some, is irreplaceable. Not all schools place sports as a high priority though - for some, it is essential to student life. Other campuses view it as a distraction and try to distance themselves from the games altogether. If you're looking to make sports a big part of your college experience, then there are the schools for you.
1. University of Texas at Austin
When you think of Texas colleges you should think of one thing, fall football. The University of Texas at Austin is no exception, with the entire campus basically shutting down every Saturday so that students can go and enjoy the games. Even if the team doesn't win, nearly the entire crowd is dressed head to toe in cowboy attire. Not to mention that with the weather in Texas being what it is, every weekend is the perfect weekend for tailgating.
2. Pennsylvania State University
Penn State isn't just a school that excels academically, the university is famous for its sports as well and its stadium - Beaver Stadium - has the second-highest seating capacity of any stadium in the entire United States, not just the college ones. This is because both alumni and students flock en masse to the games, particularly during football season, when the stadium's 100,000 seats often hit capacity. Aside from rooting for the Nittany Lions football team, men and women's volleyball also tend to draw a crowd.
3. University of Maryland
Terps fans have a lot to celebrate at the University of Maryland! Over the last 10 years, the university has been the recipient of 31 conference champions, along with a men's basketball team that has made it to the NCAA tournament 26 times. Not only do the teams deserve a lot of recognition, but the fans as well who have become nationally famous for their student section flash mobs. These flash mobs can be massive, sometimes comprising all 18,000 students who show up to the XFINITY Center each game day.
4. University of Florida
The University of Florida has a reputation not only for sports, but for the students who come out to cheer on their school's team. Something about schools in warm climates seems to draw out the best crowds, don't they? The Gators dominated the field, and over the past 10 years, they've earned 17 titles across a variety of different sports. In addition, many consider the university's crowds to be one of the rowdiest and most fun in the entire United States.
5. Ohio State University
Careful if you decided to attend Ohio State University, you may never leave. What do we mean by that? Well, apparently the sports games here are so fun, so all-consuming, that each year the university sells 29,000 season tickets to fans who can't get enough of the games. Those season-long supporters are met at the stadium by tens of thousands more, with each game drawing an average of over 107,000 people. Particularly when Ohio State plays its rival, considered one of the best college rivalries, the Michigan Wolverines.
6. University of Georgia
There's no doubt that the University of Georgia has one of the most impressive college football teams in the country. The Georgia Bulldogs dominate nearly every game they play, which often results in tremendous parties in downtown Athens as students flock to bars to celebrate their school's success. But it's not just football that gives the students a reason to celebrate, the university also has an outstanding gymnastics program that has won seven national titles in recent years.
7. University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has gotten used to being known as one of the best universities when it comes to sports. Often ranked in the top 25, the athletes always come out ready to play, whether that be on the gridiron or on the basketball court. Before the fourth quarter at each football game, the university has a tradition of playing "Jump Around" in order to raise the stadium's energy. Additionally, the men's basketball team has made regular final four appearances, giving students at Wisconsin-Madison a lot to jump around for.
8. Duke University
Sports fans rejoice! Things get pretty wild at Cameron Indoor Stadium when the Blue Devils come out to play. The area is known for its "hallowed ground" in college basketball, and as a result, students make it a point to come out and cheer on their team. They've gotten so enthusiastic about the games, that the fans have been affectionately nicknamed the "Cameron Crazies."