THOUGHTS ON BEING A FAN

[GeneralForrest]

I shared this on another thread. Wanted to give others a chance to see it. I did not write it, but I largely agree with its sentiments. Weigh in T'ers...

 

Everything I write in blogs, say on podcasts or tweet is based on fact and my observations of on-field performance. I have been called negative and pessimistic, but I’m neither. I’m a realist. And here’s some real news: My team hasn't won a championship. They have underachieved many times over the years, have created inadequate rosters, underspent when they could have put themselves over the top, have hired and extended the wrong coach and have generally half-(butted) their way to getting their next championship. It has resulted in zero championships.

I want my team to win. Every day. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen. But what has happened these last few years has been hard to watch, knowing how much time and money I invest into an organization that hasn’t equally invested in their fans. If the way I write, talk or tweet about the team is upsetting, it’s likely because you’re an enormous homer who thinks the team can do no wrong and should be praised even when they’re not meeting expectations. And that’s exactly what this core has done, and what this organization has done. 

Everyone has their own way of being a fan. There’s no such thing as being a good fan or a bad fan.  If you’re a fan who believes your team is always acting in the best interest of the on-field product, great. If you’re a fan who thinks your coach/AD is batting 1.000 in his career in scheme and in-game decisions, awesome. If you’re a fan who watches a little bit here and there and waits to be locked in until the postseason, wonderful. If you’re a fan who thinks everyone should be benched and fired, superb. If you’re a fan who hates analytics and thinks stats and only team wins and losses matter, good for you. If you’re a fan who needs to have analytics 101 open during each game and would rather their team lead the league in this or that analytic than actual wins, that’s cool too. Again, there’s no such thing as a good fan or a bad, and however you want to consume this team or any team is fine. In the end, all fans are irrationally tied to a group of millionaires (or students) who likely share contrasting views to you on the world, economics, politics, vaccines and life, playing a game no fan has control over. So who cares how you root or enjoy or hate-watch your team? The whole concept of being a fan at its core is ridiculous. I know at its core the whole idea of being a  fan is ridiculous. Yet, it still bothers me to my core when they lose.

I realize it’s not healthy for the result of a  game to determine my mood and general well-being on a daily basis for six or seven months, and then have the team’s handling of the offseason affect those two things the other months. It’s ridiculous. It’s silly. It’s illogical. It’s unhealthy. But it’s who I am.

For me as a fan, I expect my team to be great. That’s how I consume them. It might be unreasonable, but I grew up on them being great/pursuing greatness, and believe they should still be. My tone in my writing, my words and my tweets is based on the foundation of wanting them to win. Winning the region isn’t good enough. Winning a postseason round isn’t good enough. Winning the 2nd round isn’t good enough. Reaching the semis isn’t good enough. Winning the Gold Ball is the only thing that’s good enough and this current team’s window to do that is being held up a stack of unread books.

[tradertwo]

Every team (and fan) should have the goal of going undefeated and winning a championship...if you think that is unreasonable, I'll challenge you to look at your team's schedule and pick the game that you don't want to win. Temper that with reasonable expectations derived from what your coach has to work with, including players, coaches, facilities, finances, and community support. Learn to accept that we're all human and make mistakes...players, coaches, and refs (especially), so be forgiving if it's judgement, but you can be critical if it's effort or (lack of ) knowledge. Understand that your price of admission does not give you free reign to ruin everyone else's night...cheer for the kids, and gripe at the refs, but don't try and be the center of attention (we see you). Last, be real, but be positive until you can't for the players' sake...they (believe it or not) want to win for the fans too, and always remember...you can be a fan as long as you live, the kids have four years to play and they're done...that's some of the things that a fan should be.

[GeneralForrest]

Not bad @tradertwo!!

[tradertwo]

23 hours ago, GeneralForrest said:

Not bad @tradertwo!!

It comes with age...at 20 my post would have been vastly different, even though my support has remained pretty constant. Ironically my viewpoint shifted a lot from a post and reply on coachT many years ago...if I can find it, I'll repost it.

[tradertwo]

On 3/11/2011 at 11:20 PM, tradertwo said:

Allycat, I'm pretty sure I've figured out who you are and I'll ASSURE you that the whole Scotts Hill community(fanbase) is heartsick tonight....not for us,but for the feelings of the wonderful "family" that you girls have become to each other,as well as to all us who live and die with you. The unselfishness and single minded determination that your team has displayed all season is what high school sports are all about,and I personally couldn't be more proud of all of you if you'd won it all.....and that's a promise.The real reason that we follow and cheer and wear the shirts,and act like kids ourselves,is to SUPPORT the kids that we LOVE and ADMIRE so much,and I'm glad that you all can have the satisfaction of knowing that the Lady Lions have the fan support that you do because so many feel the same as I do.I'm honored that you regard the fans highly enough to feel that you've "let us down",but the truth is that you have it all wrong.You,your teammates,and your coach have given us fans a great gift by giving everything you have for each other,and apparently us too.Good Lord willing there'll be more teams and more years for me(and the rest) to follow but this team will always be special to me. Thank you to all you wonderful young ladies for the memories that you've given me,maybe one day you all can sit beside me in the stands,and a daughter,son,niece,nephew or neighbor will make you as proud of them as I am of all of you.

 

19 minutes ago, tradertwo said:

It comes with age...at 20 my post would have been vastly different, even though my support has remained pretty constant. Ironically my viewpoint shifted a lot from a post and reply on coachT many years ago...if I can find it, I'll repost it.

First one is my reply to a young lady who was a player on our 2011 team. She posted that she felt that the team had let the fans down by losing in the semi final after coming into the game with a 33-0 record. It broke my heart that she (and the team) felt that way, and that post will probably be my all time favorite on the 'T.