In any event, playing these songs cannot hurt, and they're fun to play and listen to in the process.

(3) A challenge to our composers in the band or crowd.

Compose something short and catchy, like Michigan's fight song (Hail! Hail!).

"Ten Thousand Men of Harvard" is a nice piece, but Harvard students know only the first two and last two lines at most, and it's a little too long to play inbetween downs.

(4) This suggestion isn't for the band, but rather for the cheerleaders. Make your cheers short and sweet as well, something that the crowd might want to cheer along to.

Again, not to knock anyone, but a chant of "Let's Go Defense" just isn't very inspiring.

Rang on your megaphones and say "DEE-FENSE." Fifty bucks says that the crowd will respond.

If they don't, then you know the fans are hopeless and you can save your energy and voices.

(5) To the fans, don't be afraid to start your own chant.

Go to a Harvard hockey game and a good part of the fun involves listening to and creating inventive descriptions of the opposing goaltender's shot-blocking abilities.

Look at the word "sieve". It's a short word, but it carries a lot of power at a hockey game.

So as a challenge, be the person who comes up with an equivalent chant at the football games. It would be greatly appreciated. Trust me.

The Cornell fans chant "Let's Go Red" all the time, and it definitely inspires their team.

Harvard needs something along those lines as well.

(6) At least let the players and coaches know you are there.