HARLINGEN — The crowd wrapped around the building this morning seemed upbeat even though some spent the night in that very spot.

"Twenty to twenty four hours more or less," said Harlingen resident, Mario Chapa.

"Since I was in school we've been camping, doing this...it's a Cardinal tradition for us," said Cardinal fan, Viola Gutierrez.

Including Yolanda Lozano who showed up at 8:30 yesterday morning.
Lozano has a nephew who will join the team this year.

"It's been a long day, long 24 hours," said Lozano.

These fans support their team 100% because many were Cardinals themselves.

"With the kids that graduate, next year they become Cardinal members...Cardinal spirit never dies," said Carlos Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is talking himself and former players like Omar Flores. Flores is in line today just as he says his parents have done for the last 20 years.

"I've grown up with Cardinals since God knows when so, I have a lot of Cardinal spirit.  It's in my blood," said Flores.

Everyone in line received a control card. They had the option to stay and wait or come back within two weeks to redeem their tickets.

"Based on your control card is when you can come back and purchase tickets for playoffs," said Esmeralda Valdez.

Athletic Director, Randy Cretors says you want to be first in line so that you get a control card with a low number.

"They can get better seats and that's why they sit out here. They want to be able to sit at the 50 yard line," said Cretors.

Overall, the Cardinals had a record of 13 to 1 last season. It was the first time a Valley team had advanced the third round of playoffs since 1999.

"We got a lot of good returners coming back this year and so I think they'll be a solid team again," said Flores.

Nearly 600 cards were bought last year.
This year, Lozano was number 22 and she plans to come back next year to beat that number.