bull fans: bandwagon-jumpers?
The other day I was disturbed about something a fellow USF student had told me. On Friday he had been at a bar and, not being much of a football fan, had only caught glimpses of the USF-WVU game. He then speculated whether all those USF fans in sold-out Raymond James were dedicated fans, true to their school, or people who just jumped on the bandwagon because the team is currently 4-0. As disturbing as it is to contemplate, it may be true.
I then sought to reflect on how dedicated I was. Yea, I did have school spirit enough to cheer on the Bulls and boo any West Virginia fan who tried to sit in the lower-bowl student section, but I did not bleed green and gold like administration wants me to. Yea I was all stoked for the USF-WVU game, but I did not camp out and wait two hours for a ticket to the game. Instead, I waited about a minute to get my ticket (boy are those sun dome people efficient!). If it had been sold out before I got my ticket, it wouldn’t have bothered me too much. I’m not a sports fanatic. I like to take things in moderation and cheer when I feel like it.
I AM against those who are here to jump the wagon while the going is good. The athletic department may not mind; they may only want bodies in the seats, more people buying the paraphernalia, and more mouths to make noise. This isn’t a bad thing, but really, where are you bandwagon-jumpers gonna be when the winning streak comes to an end (which would ideally be a few seasons from now…)? That’s what irks me. Be straight up, be real. The least you can do is go to the games to have a good time, cheer on your team but don’t be fake and bad-talk the team when the going isn’t so good anymore. It’s the least you could do as a “Bulls’ fan.”
Tags: sports, tampa
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October 4th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
The fact that the 300 level, which normally isn’t even open, was filled tells us that many of the people there last Friday don’t normally come out. Whether those people were induced to do so because of the team’s recent success or the hype around the event itself, it’s still great that they decided to attend. Every team, college or pro, has to attract the casual spectator because (with a few notable exceptions) there are never enough sheer diehards to successfully support a program financially. So to THOSE bandwagon fans, I say cheers! Now, as far those whose allegiance to a team seems to shift with the prevailing winds (I’m looking at you, former Flyers, Rangers and Red Wings fans who bought Lightning sweaters in 2004 and stopped wearing them again last year), they are utterly beneath contempt and deserve to be banished to a remote island infested with rabid turtles.
October 4th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
you missed the time when everyone suddenly became a hockey fan.
October 4th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Being a USF grad and Tampan relocated to Milwaukee, I have to say that seeing Ray Jay packed with fans cheering for USF gave me chills. The win was a total bonus.
Bandwagoneers or not, it was still really kewl to watch the action on ESPN2 last week and see so much excitement around our alma mater.
I can’t wait to get back. Go Bulls.