Sports provide various essential meanings for people. Most people who follow their favorite teams would say that just the thought alone of keeping up with a team acts as a family-like atmosphere. At times with family, however, come hardship, remorse, regret, depression, and worst of all loss.
Sports may soothe many individuals and it can act as a mentor or even serve as a purpose in one’s life. During any given season, many emotions are experienced. On game day, the brain of a fan heavily circulates and can be very actively involved in the day-to-day operations of his or her team.
Fanatics live their lives through their favorite teams, and when I say live I mean eat, breathe, sleep, repeat. If the word “vicarious” describes the feelings or actions experienced through a person, than fanatics need every reason not to act like they do.
There are many ways that fanatics can express themselves to the rest of the world. Fantasy football, for one, is a tremendous outlet for millions of people around the nation who enjoy serving as general managers of their favorite teams. General merchandise sales bring the closest any fan will most likely ever get to represent not only their favorite team, but also most popular players. Season ticket holders can enjoy attending games while representing their city and team through acts of loyalty and showing patience through times of struggle.
And then there are the crazies…
Thousands of Duke University students camp outside for days before the annual rivalry game against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They call themselves the Cameron Crazies, live in Krzyzewskiville, and provide the rowdiest, most hostile home court in all of college basketball every year.
The fan base of the National Football League’s Oakland Raiders is some of the most decorated group of individuals in all of sports. Every home game at the Coliseum, the “Raider Nation” dresses up in all silver and grey barbaric uniforms and try and create their own personal home field advantage.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) in college football poses a threat every year to hoist the national championship in January. Places like Sanford Stadium (University of Georgia), Kyle Field (Texas A&M), “The Swamp” (University of Florida), and Tiger Stadium (Louisiana State University) ensure that when opposing teams walk on their opponent’s home-turf, they feel immediate insecurity.
Sports are forms of spirituality as a means for ensuring continued mental stability. In life, death is inevitable but the way one goes out doesn’t always have to be.
Jim Valvano, former coach of the North Carolina State University Wolfpack, won a championship in 1983. On March 3, 1993, Valvano gave an iconic speech at the ESPY’s just months after being diagnosed with a form of metastatic adenocarcinoma.
“To me there are three things everyone should do every single day. Number one is laugh. Number two is think — spend some time in thought. Number three, you should have your emotions move you to tears,” said Valvano.
Sports reflect upon an individual’s character. It’s more than just pure individualism as it stays with you for a lifetime. Millions of fans around the globe have everything in life to look forward to simply because of the fact that there is such a simple phenomenon like a game to watch, play, and enjoy.
Valvano died at the age of 47, two months after his famous speech.
“If you laugh, think and cry, that’s a heck of a day.”
Kevin Barasia can be reached at kevin.raj.barasia@spartans.ut.edu.