As a child I was very girly. From ages two-seven, I only wore dresses garnished with rainbows or kittens, played with Barbies, read “girl books,” and watched tons of Disney movies (I was obsessed with Belle, but find my personality to be more akin to Jasmine). I danced ballet, tap, and jazz and was obsessed with cheerleading.
Wtaf? This does NOT have kittens!
In those early years, the draw to cheerleading was more because it was a “girly” thing rather than something I did because I wanted to support a team. In fact, I was completely oblivious that people actually invest their time, money, and souls into teams they care about. I just liked being as loud as possible, getting people motivated, and doing cartwheels without getting yelled at because my underwear was showing.
Whenever a big game was on TV, people came over for parties. As a natural entertainer and only child, I loved when people came over. They always brought good snacks and would talk and laugh with me and the other attendees. However, the sports watching aspect was completely lost on me. I truly thought they were there for the company and that the “thing” on TV was just background noise.
The small child to the right is tickled by my unabashed silliness
The conscious of enjoying sports and becoming an actual fan came during the ’95-’96 NHL Playoffs. The Colorado Avalanche beat the Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup. This was the year AFTER the Red Wings faced the New Jersey Devils in the Finals and came up short. Detroit was amiss. We wanted the Stanley Cup. Red Wing mania was everywhere. I quickly learned that when the Red Wings win, Detroit wins, and people are happy.
The happiness of others over Red Wing victories catalyzed my yearning to understand the game. This was also during the reign of the luminous blue puck, FoxTrax, which helped me be able to track the puck’s movement. Sitting in front of the TV like a cat watching a mouse, I would watch the game yelling “Off sides!” calling penalties, and encouraging fights. I saw my team win back-to-back Stanley Cups, ending a dry spell of 66 years. I ran up and down the street banging pots and pans those nights, shook hands with neighbors I’d never met, and hugged my best friend. I bought my cartooned Red Wing t-shirt on the corner the following morning and wore it proudly every place I went. I became a fan and part of the team.
FAN
I remained a cheerleader into high school, when I actually learned the rules of football and basketball and became invested in my school’s teams. Voted most spirited by my squad, I still screamed and try to get others enthused, but it wasn’t to be girly or the center of attention, it was because I wanted more than anything to WIN. I wanted everyone, myself included, to be proud and excited.
Sadly, I haven’t remained a hardcore Wings fan since moving to a place where hockey is hardly considered a main sporting attraction. It’s easy to lose the excitement I once felt those June evenings in Detroit when I’m the only one in the bar shrieking at the television. Most people here don’t get it with hockey or the Red Wings, but I can tell you that the same excitement, camaraderie, and happiness pervades the city when the Lakers are winning…and disgust exudes from the streets when they’re losing.
Decidedly, the sociology of sports is my obsession. I love attending sporting events and immersing in the spirit. Donning a costume, yelling a chant, and watching fans and players get fired up for their cause, completely entices and fascinates me. But what rallies people behind their teams and players? For me, I like being a piece of the whole and seeing “my people” happy. I love the feeling of high-fiving a stranger when my team hits a homerun or shouting “Go Blue!” when I see another Michigan Wolverine sporting a school shirt on the busy streets of LA.
But what will I find across the country? Will it be the happiness of others or being a part of the team? Or will it be pride, tradition, or chance? I wonder if the answers I get will be as different as the sporting events themselves or maybe I’ll even find a common driving force of fandom.