 "Photo: Steven Gold")
As students hurried off to their classes on Sept. 11, the university held a pep rally in Trabant University Center to encourage support for the football team in its first game of the season. Because of some fans' existing love for the team, the enthusiasm to attend the game was already there.
Fans had begun preparing well in advance for Saturday's game against West Chester University.
Kyle Kokjohn, 14 and a Blue Hens fan since birth, has been to every game, home and away. His mother Lynn Kokjohn, an alumna and a die-hard fan, went into labor on a game day. Two weeks later, clad in his university attire, Kyle attended his very first game.
"Kyle goes with us to all the games," Lynn said. "He really looks up to the guys on the team and loves to support them."
She said the players also show their love and appreciation for Kyle.
"They're always so respectful and thankful to us for attending the games," Lynn said.
The Kokjohns, like other football fanatics comprised of students, alumni and lovers of the team, live, breath and dream blue and gold.
"We have been to every game for the last 15 or 20 years," Lynn said. "We are their No. 1 spectators."
Fellow Hen fanatics, George and Ann Tatnall, both 1957 graduates, also support the team by following it throughout the season.
"We followed them to Sacramento, Chattanooga, South Illinois and elsewhere,"Ann said. "If we have something else to do on a game day, we cancel that something. The Blue Hens are definitely our priority."
The Tatnalls said they keep track of the players that go on to the pros, such as former quarterback Joe Flacco.
"To see Flacco play at a Baltimore game we couldn't attend, we drove all the way to Elkton from our home in New Jersey and booked a room at the Hampton Inn to get the station on TV," George said. "We really care about the boys and wish them the best."
The Tatnall's have even missed friends' weddings to watch the team.
"I think there should be a law that you can't get married on a Delaware game day," George said. "Our friends think we're crazy."
Scarlett Schmidt, director of athletic development, said both alumni and students do a great job of supporting the football team.
"It's almost like they adopt the guys every four years," Schmidt said. "The fans are very serious about the team. They love getting the media guides and reading up on the guys, they wear the UD clothes and some attend the practices."
She said the reason so many families attend games is because many alumni have an affiliation and love for the team. They like to share that love with their children who, in turn, become fans.
Junior Julie Cross said she has attended all of the football games since she was in fourth grade.
"My family is continued season-ticket holders and they are obsessed with the team," Cross said. "My brothers actually have a countdown to the season."
New students also plan to support the Blue Hens.
Freshman Danni Olivieri said she chose to go to the university because of the immense school spirit and the football team.
"I wanted to go somewhere that had a good football team because going to the games is so much fun," Olivieri said.
Oliveri, who bought beads and face paint in preparation for the first game of the season on Sept. 13, plans to attend all of the Hens' home games and possibly some away games.
Lynn Kokjohn said her love for the Blue Hens comes naturally.
"The bottom line is people like to support winners," Lynn said.
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