Hokie Stone

The touchy subject Football players at Virginia Tech touch this lucky stone as they exit the tunnel at Lane Stadium. The stone is flanked by signs that read, “For those who have passed, for those to come, reach for excellence.” The back story Hokie stone is a type of limestone common in the Appalachian Mountains that is quarried exclusively for the school, furnishing its name. About 100 years ago, the university’s president decided the school’s brick buildings resembled “poverty-stricken mills” and called for a campuswide makeover in limestone to reflect the school’s prestige. Now, all buildings constructed in the central campus must be made from Hokie stone.

Panther Prowl

The touchy subject As part of pregame festivities, the Florida Institute of Technology football team parades across campus to the field with the band and cheerleaders — and always makes sure to tap or kiss the nose of a certain panther statue. The back story The statue has aged to a green patina over the years, except for its black snout.

Howard’s Rock

The touchy subject As part of pregame festivities, the Florida Institute of Technology football team parades across campus to the field with the band and cheerleaders — and always makes sure to tap or kiss the nose of a certain panther statue. The back story The statue has aged to a green patina over the years, except for its black snout.

‘Play Like a Champion Today’

The touchy subject On the way out of their locker room at the University of Notre Dame, football players tap this motto for inspiration. The back story Former coach Lou Holtz commissioned this sign in 1986 after seeing one just like it in an old football book. Whenever it’s reproduced as a keychain or coffee mug, all proceeds go to the painter — a South Bend, Indiana, woman with multiple sclerosis who created the board at the campus sign shop.

‘The Win Bar’

The touchy subject At Louisiana State University, a section of goal post is mounted above the tunnel exit in Tiger Stadium and painted with a simple message to the football team. There’s even a historical placard hanging above it that stresses “commitment to whatever it takes for victory!” The back story The goal post spent 30 years in the north end zone at Tiger Stadium.

‘I will give my all’

The touchy subject A sign reading “I will give my all for Tennessee today!” hangs over the doorway in the locker room at Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The back story Players say a gesture as simple as touching these words displayed inside the outline of Tennessee makes them feel like “we are one” and triggers a surge of energy as they take the field.

Testudo

The touchy subject The football players tap this 300-pound bronze statue of a terrapin outside the Gossett Football Team House at the University of Maryland, College Park. The back story The original statue of the school’s mascot was unveiled in 1933 by a live turtle who served as the model. The animal pulled a canvas off the installation — slowly — with an attached ribbon.

Clockwise from bottom left: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, photo; Patrick Semansky / AP Images; Dave Knachel / Virginia polytechnic institute and state university photo; Amanda Stratford Photography; Richard Shiro / AP Images; Joe Raymond / AP images; Louisiana state university photo