Junior Tyler Bartlett, clad in jeans, a Colts t-shirt and a backwards hat, jumped out of his seat and threw his hands in the air as the final seconds ticked off the clock of Super Bowl XLI Sunday night.
The Indianapolis Colts had won the Super Bowl, and Bartlett smiled and yelled as the Colts ran onto the field. At a house party, Bartlett celebrated with other Colts fans.
"It's euphoric," Bartlett said. "You imagine your team winning the Super Bowl and then it happens."
At the same time, high fives all around, jumps for joy and a broken door led to several bonding moments for Colts fans in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center Cardinal Hall.
Students bound by a Colts allegiance came together to celebrate an Indianapolis victory amid a sea of blue, white - and a sprinkling of orange.
The Chicago camp was fairly underrepresented - but still outspoken - for much of the game past the Bears' opening kickoff return for a touchdown. However, the Colts recovered within the half, and so did their fans, by the end of the game.
"It's a dream come true for the blue," freshman Zach Brubaker said. "It was really Peyton [Manning's] year."
For Brubaker, the Super Bowl was an opportunity to go all out. Face painted white and blue and white pipe cleaners sticking out of his Colts hat. He expressed a peaked interest in this year's matchup.
"I've never had a home team in the Super Bowl, so I've never gotten too excited," Brubaker said. "This season I've only missed one Colts game."
In preparation for the game, Brubaker said he spent two hours getting into costume.
Despite not spending hours preparing his wardrobe for the game, Bartlett still showed his die-hard spirit as he jumped up and pumped his fist after each big play.
"It's the Super Bowl," Bartlett said. "It's a great game to watch, tons of excitement, and it turned out the way it should have."
While Bartlett celebrated, sophomore Ray Gradeless said he tried to heckle his friends.
"I really want to call up my friend, who is in Chicago right now, and really rip on him," Gradeless said. "But he's not answering."
At the Student Center, there was also some friendly trash-talking among fans.
"It's awkward when there's too much tension between opposing fans," freshman Jennifer Rife said. "It's just a game when it comes down to it."
At the house, Bartlett was on the edge of his seat most of the game, leaning forward, with eyes focused on the screen in front of him.
"The five-minute mark of the game was when I was pretty much sure the Colts were going to win the game," Bartlett said. "Before that, there was just too much time."
While fans at the house party knew each other, otherwise unrelated fans at the Student Center were brought together by their love of the Colts.
They exchanged varying exclamations in response to interceptions, even attempting "chirp" cheers heard at Ball State home football games.
Freshman Ashley Jones, an Indianapolis native, said she checked news and sports sites to get updates about the Colts everyday during the last week.
"I watched the Super Bowl more this year since it's a Colts game," Jones said. "You root for the team you know, and I know the Colts."
As he put on his coat and said goodbye to the other fans, Bartlett said his night was not over.
"I'm going to go home and have a [heck] of a time," Bartlett said. "Celebration, 'til I can't celebrate any more."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
