Yelling at the TV Syndrome

Recently ran in the Campus Chronicle!  Enjoy:

“Why’d he do that?!” We have all been to a sporting event and seemed to have that reaction at least once a game. The only difference might be to make the expression gender appropriate.

Sporting events seem to be the one time when a person who shouldn’t have made the little league team becomes an expert in the sport. You never see a person with a high school diploma second guess a brain surgeon and seem intelligent doing so.

This could be the single reason why sporting events are quite possible the best thing we attend. Don’t take that out of context or blow that up, but think about it. What can change your mood so quickly?

I remember two years ago when Arizona Reid missed the game winning shot against Winthrop. When the ball rimmed out, the Millis Center became quiet and we stood in disbelief. My friend and I split a pint of strawberry ice cream from the Point.

Rewind earlier in that year and I was at a women’s soccer game against Francis Marion. It was the Saturday of fall break, campus was empty and the stands at the game were worse. The game was 0-0 and went into double overtime. With less than 10 seconds left in the second overtime, Francis Marion scored the golden goal. I proceeded to go back to my room to eat a box of Mac and Cheese by myself.

After both games I found my spirits down and my emotions out of check. Food seemed to satisfy me. During my indulging meals I questioned the games. I relived the games while my ice cream melted and my macaroni cooked.

What do I know about basketball? I know just as much as the other average Joe who played growing up. I was that kid who shouldn’t have made the little league team. What do I know about soccer? I know as much as I do about brain surgery.

It was still fun to question moves and feel like I had the key both coaches Bart Lundy and Michelle Rayner needed to win the close games. The truth is I have nothing that could help the two except being in the stands.

It is ok to question the moves on the field. That is the beauty of sports. It is the only event that we can come with our shirts off, chests painted and act like we haven’t been civilized.

In addition, we can act like we are the general manager of any team of our choosing. One day I’m the GM of an HPU team and the next day I’m in charge of the New York Mets.

If you are going to join me in being an overprotective fan, then I ask one thing. I ask you stay involved in the programs through reading game recaps and going to games. You can’t expect to be even a little bit knowledgeable without reading and going to the games!

Maybe one day you will fall in the coach’s chair and have us questioning your moves. Who knows? Until then, let’s just raise the bar together…