Florida State University - Renegade / Tally Ho Yearbook (Tallahassee, FL)

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Photo by Steve Stibei 20 Student Life

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ACKING IT Backpacks showed the varied tastes of students ■X r ' « r Z- k ?Pv • I student takes her art iupplies out of- her : ackback as she works on i school project and ketches at the Seminole leservation. J sing her backpack as a plow a student soaks in he sun on Landis Green nd studies for classes. I take it everywhere ! It ' s already been all over the United States and last summer, I took it to Europe, Coral Chance said. I guess you could say it ' s a world traveler. It was not the American Express Card, nor was it any sort of X I f automobile. It was the tried and true, practical and dependable, fashionable, yet sturdy, backpack. Around campus, it was impossible not to notice how abundant it was. The backpack served as a keeper for the hectic and often unorganized life of the college student. Students who carried one knew, that without it, they Would be prisoners in a land of confusion, lost keys and misplaced papers. With so many colors and styles to choose from, seeing two identical backpacks was quite rare. Even if the brand and color were identical, something usually existed to set it apart from all of the rest. The backpack served as sort of a window to the soul. Creative students decorated theirs with artwork and doodles, while other students simply let pins and buttons do all of the talking. It was possible to learn something about another person just by checking out their backpack. Some students purchased the basic, generic backpack for a very low price, while others went all out and bought the heavy duty, name brand, leather one. One of the most unique backpacks seen around campus was the one with the built-in clock. Characters from Disney and 4 i I 4 «fc Jnt m Photo hy Vanessa Crockett Looney Toons popped up on backpacks throughout the University. Cartoons were not the only ways to express an interest. Sports fans had no trouble finding their favorite embroidered logo or team colors on a backpack. However, the most popular team logo seen was that of the University ' s own Seminoles. Besides making a fashion statement, backpacks had many practical uses as well. They were loaded with pockets, pouches, zippers and many other secret compartments. With all of the books and materials students had to carry around, having the extra storage space helped. I keep pens and pencils, tissues, money, keys and my glasses in the extra pouch on my backpack, Renee Green said. All of my books and paper go in the main section. Although the backpack was made to be worn around both shoulders, the majority of students favored one side to carry it on. Bicycle owners, however, were thankful for the two straps. When I ride my bicycle to class, I just put my backpack on both shoulders, Heather Rooney said, and I don ' t have to worry about it falling off. Backpacks were not only used at the University. They were often spotted at airports. Travelers stashed magazines, candy, purses and pillows in them to carry on the plane. Campers used them for carrying tents, sleeping bags, food and utensils. People who lived in the city often took their backpacks on the bus or train and on shopping trips because they were more convenient than several shopping bags. A nice little invention, the backpack served different people ' s needs worldwide. Perhaps the most appreciative of the invention of the backpack, though, was the tired student who needed something to rest his head on while taking a snooze in the Union. By Jackie Healy Backpaking 19

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Seminoles claim in-state bragging rights from rivals LOVVOUT Adrenaline. The thousands of chanting fans felt it. The coaches felt it. The players felt it - driving them, pushing them to their highest intensity level of the season. The fans made sure everyone around them sensed the same feeling of anticipation when they cheered and chanted during pre-game. When the Florida State Seminoles football team took on the Florida Gators, the Miami Hurricanes or the new rival, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the result was explosive, hard hitting, in your face football. These three teams were not just schools on the schedule, there was much more on the line than just the win. It was a Photo by Vanessa Crockett feeling and an attitude that fans had. There was also a right that came with winning a rivalry game. That right was being able to tell friends who cheered for the opposing side. There were also those family members that lived in a different part of the state or country and therefore felt a loyalty to another mascot. Students enjoyed telling others that graduated from their high schools that the Seminoles had won the right to call themselves State and National Champions. Having a rival gives you bragging rights, linebacker Ken Alexander said. From the time I ' ve been here, I haven ' t had that chance; hopefully, that will change this year. If one were to play a game of word association with a FSU football fan and mention rivalry, one would likely hear one or the other: Gators or Hurricanes. For many, the Gators brought out the animosity due to the longtime tradition but mention Miami and some Seminoles eyes narrowed and faces reddened. I ' m from Clearwater, so for me, you ' re either a Seminole or a Gator, offensive tackle Greg Frey said. When I go home, I hear about it for a year or I hear how lucky we were this time. It ' s a matter of respect. When the Miami Hurricanes blew into Doak Campbell Stadium to take on Charlie Ward and his aerial attack offense, one could see the sparks flying. For many, this became a grudge match compared to no other. To beat Miami at home was the best graduation present I could have gotten this season, senior Shannon Moore said after the Seminoles 28-10 defeat of the Hurricanes. The entire Tallahassee community showed their competitive spirit when Miami came to town. Thousands of students camped out to claim their tickets, t-shirt vendors lined the streets, cars became moving billboards painted with shoe polish and thousands of desperate people held signs begging for tickets. It was a game to remember. My father is a die hard Cane. The phone call to him in Miami after we beat them was the best call I made all year, senior Miguel Fernandez said. The dawn of a new rivalry began in the fall with a school deeply embedded in football history and tradition. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame took on the Seminoles for the first time, bringing anticipation for many great future battles. Rivalries evoked a special hunger in the players, parents, coaches, alumni and fans. Whether it was Florida, Miami or even Notre Dame, the Seminoles looked to satisfy. By April Melquist Rivals 21