It’s true. When there is a local college sports team (and by local, I mean within 50 miles), not everyone that lives in the area is a fan. I’m one of those secretive non-fans. I live within 25 miles of a nationally ranked college football team. This fact makes me crazy during college football season!
I’m glad the team does well. I’m thankful for the influx of support this means for the local economy and area. The university itself is a very good school and encourages volunteerism in the community.
This does not mean I enjoy the chaos and mayhem that invades every fall. These are just a few of the reasons I struggle living close to a good college football program:
Travel Time
Every time there is a home game, double the travel time to go anywhere. The university is 25 miles away! Why dos interstate and surface streets in my town have to be clogged up and gridlocked? I understand thousands of people are trying to get to the game. Everyone is going in the same direction, so why not travel at a consistent speed so you can all get there? No, there always seems to be a few in a hurry who cause accidents and back everything up for everyone else – including those of us just trying to go to the grocery store!
The Fans
It’s wonderful the school has so many dedicated fans. Unfortunately, the school also has a lot of somewhat rabid fans. These are the folks who did not attend the school and their kids did not attend the school. In fact, there are no ties at all except proximity. These are the ones who are the worst! And woe to anyone who admits to not being a fan. The lectures that commence can range from funny to insulting. And one really odd fact is that most of the rabid fans only became fans when the school started winning.
The Merchandise
Every store in the area sells merchandise for the school. If it will hold a logo, it’s for sale somewhere. Coffee mugs, t-shirts, golf balls, infant onesies, magnetic vehicle flags, bottle openers, candy, and so on. It’s everywhere – in the grocery stores, convenience stores, street side stands, specialty shops, restaurants. The local coffee shops even have a special blend named after the team!
The Coach
He’s a great coach and has done tremendous things for the team and community. Unfortunately, the fans (normal and rabid) idolize him. So that means he is everywhere – television commercials, print ads, in the news, on billboards…everywhere! Rather than just seeing him on the sidelines on gameday, he turns up constantly, even in business seminars and forums.
So if you live in an area with a really good college football team nearby and you see some folks who don’t seem to be on board, be nice. They may be trying to keep their head down until the season is over and their quiet, sleepy hometown returns to normal.