This week, millions of men in the U.S. have been shirking their normal responsibilities, even going so far as to take days off from work, to welcome back one of the most beloved video games of all time: NCAA Football. The 2025 edition is the first version of the game since Denard Robinson graced the cover for the 2014 edition, and since players can now receive NIL money for their likenesses in the game.

But something game players have noticed is the incredible amount of detail that developers have included into the game, which include unique stadiums, experiences, and traditions. Because of this, people who face Michigan in the Big House in the game are just now finding out about a long-held, odd tradition on game days, involving a small western Pennsylvania college named Slipper Rock.

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Players of NCAA '25 might have noticed that at key points, the PA announcer at Michigan Stadium will announce scores from other games around the league, mostly from the Big Ten, but also some other "notable" game as well. But then comes, "The Moment you've all been waiting for..." the score of the Slippery Rock University football game... and assuming they're in the lead or winning, the crowd will roar to life.

What? Who is Slippery Rock, and why do we care?

Well, it's a Michigan tradition that goes back 65 years, and involves Slipper Rock University, a Division II team in Pennsylvania.

Why Does Slippery Rock Matter to Michigan?

Truth be told, they really don't. The two teams have never played each other in football, and the Wolverines would wipe the floor with them if it ever happened. That being said, Slippery Rock is a decent team in their league, and can hold their own. They've also been invited to PLAY in the Big House three times against teams in their own division, but lost in all three appearances.

But the reason Michigan cares about them at all is thanks to a PA Announcer from 1959, Steve Filipiak. 

At key points during Michigan's games then, he would announce scores from across the league, because then, smart phones and the internet weren't a thing yet. This is how you found out if the other Big Ten schools were winning or losing in the division, and how other powerhouses across the country were doing.

But in 1959, Filipiak decided to go rogue, and while announcing out-of-town scores, he decided to sneak in Slippery Rock University... just because. And he kept going it... and KEPT doing it, eventually selling it like it was the biggest moment of the bit.

Well, eventually, it DID become the biggest moment of the bit, and when it reached its peak popularity, Filipiak would usually save the score until the end of the announcement...

"It's the Moment You've All Been Waiting For... THE ROCK!"

And if Slippery Rock had just beaten their foe for the day, no doubt the crowd roars to life like their own Wolverines had just scored a touchdown.

So when you're in that zone playing NCAA '25 and you hear "THE ROCK" in the big House, just know the Michigan Fans are eagerly awaiting their adopted ally's score to cheer them on.

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Gallery Credit: Getty Images

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