By Jamie Smith
It may not be the FA Cup Final but for students of Staffordshire and Keele universities this is the biggest and most anticipated game of their seasons.
Varsity is an annual sporting event between Keele and Staffordshire Universities for the right for one of them to brag that it has the best university sports teams in North Staffordshire.
The last three years haven't been great for Staffordshire and they haven't had much to brag about with Keele winning three years on the trot.
Last year Staffordshire fell to an embarrassing 10-5 overall loss and the two years prior losing 9-8 in 2011 and 10-5 in 2010.
This year Staffordshire are the hosts and they have won two out of the three times they have hosted the competition, losing 9-8 last time in 2011.
Despite the huge defeat last year everyone is still in high spirits and the passion is there more than ever. People will be out in their thousands to support Staffordshire University all the way to the bitter end.
It has been said that Varsity is a privilege for everyone in sports clubs and everyone looks forward to it. Playing in Varsity is what they dream of.
Josh Gardner, 24, from the Staffordshire men's football team said: "Varsity is massive. We [the team] look forward to it from second year, as soon as we get back it's what we talk about.
"It's the biggest game of the year for most of us, especially when we don't win anything in our individual team seasons."
Nerves are expected for such a big game but Gardner feels he can tackle his nerves and play the best game of his life.
He said: "I'm buzzing, I can't wait to play. I'll be a bit nervous on the day but once we start warming up and it sinks in with everyone there the adrenaline will soon kick in and I'll begin to focus. If I didn't play I'd be very disappointed."
One player though, Ashley Coutts, 23, believes he will not play this year but his time will come.
He said: "I would love to play in the game but in general the final year people take priority in the line-up and the rest of us fill in around. It's not a problem though, my time will come."
To participate in Varsity is something that you carry with you for a lifetime, Ben Bradley, 25, a former student at Staffordshire, was once part of the lacrosse team and he said: "It is a mental feeling. It's by far the biggest game of your university playing career. When the crowd is singing for you and the team it just makes you want to perform harder and win the game."
Bradley's experience shows the importance of Varsity to the students but even the students playing this year know the importance of the game.
Shane Hall, captain of Staffordshire men's lacrosse team, is more than up for the game.
"Varsity is massive to us. We won our game last year and the most important thing to us is doing that again on our own turf and every single one of the players know and appreciate the magnitude of this game," he said.
"It probably is the biggest match of the year however the lads have faced bigger opponents in the shape of Birmingham, Nottingham Trent and Cambridge so we are prepared to face them."
He added: "As captain this year I would love nothing more than to match last year's captain David Drysdale's achievement but that doesn't stop me being ridiculously nervous."
Steff Lowther, 20, part of Staffordshire men's rugby team, spoke about how much the whole rugby squad is up for Varsity and how much they have worked hard for it.
"Varsity is huge to the team as its one of the biggest games of the year. I crave as much as any of the rugby lads do to play in this game as it is one of the most prestigious games to play in as a rugby union player of Staffordshire University," he said.
"Everyone plays their heart out to ensure they have their spot on the Varsity squad. It is considered a huge honor amongst the rugby lads to be in that final Varsity squad."
Last year none of the Staffordshire women's teams were triumphant and this year they are more than determined to make up for it.
Kate Hill, 20, part of the women's lacrosse spoke about how determined the squad is to win this year. She said: "Varsity is really important to the team. It has been the focus of all our training sessions this year. We have been working hard to improve our skills so we can beat Keele.
"I'd say that it is the biggest time of year for lacrosse. I want to play in the game so much, I love lacrosse and I am so excited for Varsity."
Varsity takes place Wednesday 20th March. For ticket, event and travel information go to http://www.staffsunion.com/varsity/ or call Students' Union vice president Beth Moorley on 01782 294629.