myhousekey Posted May 20, 2003 Share Posted May 20, 2003 I'm not sure if we've discussed this before or not and am too lazy to do a search so I'll ask it anyways. Why do so many people who didn't attend schools become avid fans for the "bigger schools" in their state? (Let's limit this discussion to college football) Prime example I've seen lately...The number of Buckeye fans I know that live in Ohio BUT DIDN'T ATTEND Ohio State. Most if not all of these people I know attended other schools within the state (University of Miami Ohio, etc..) There's allot of these "types" among my relatives. I also see this correlation in such states as Nebraska. My thinking is that these states only seem to boast one major powerhouse (like Ohio State for example) so if they didn't go there, they don't have a choice to root for anyone else (that is competitive). My experience is more limited to the South but I know Texas Aggies don't end up being big fans of UT, or graduates of Florida don't end up being Florida State or Miami fans. Similarily Tulane Graduates don't become LSU fans. Just something I've seen allot of lately and wondered what everyone's opinion on the subject was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justin Posted May 21, 2003 Share Posted May 21, 2003 myhousekey: My thinking is that these states only seem to boast one major powerhouse (like Ohio State for example) so if they didn't go there, they don't have a choice to root for anyone else (that is competitive). I think that is it. It's a regional thing too, where you see it mostly in the North. Southern states seem to have more schools per a smaller area. For example, there are many schools in a small radius in the Carolinas and Texas. Where there is just one major powerhouse in a state, typically many fans are fans of that team. It has a lot to do with the teams that are covered by local media as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted May 21, 2003 Share Posted May 21, 2003 I went to a small crappy school famous only for producing Rick "The Dunking Dutchman" Smits. Even while I was going there, it was tough to give a rats ass if we beat Duquesne or Canisius. So, now I root for two college teams: 1. CU, because I live in Boulder. I'm not die hard, but I pitch in and root for the home squad. 2. UConn, because I grew up in CT and before I had a school of my own, I rooted for UConn hoops. And... if my school ever makes March Madness through some strange miracle, I'll pretend that I rooted for them all along. Go Foxes!!!!! (for bonus points... what school did I attend?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted May 21, 2003 Share Posted May 21, 2003 myhousekey Why do so many people who didn't attend schools become avid fans for the "bigger schools" in their state? My thinking is that these states only seem to boast one major powerhouse (like Ohio State for example) so if they didn't go there, they don't have a choice to root for anyone else (that is competitive). That sounds about right; I was born and raised in Michigan, which actually has FIVE 1-A schools, plus some smaller schools that have been very competitive in D-II (Northern Michigan and Grand Valley St have both won national titles in my lifetime); but when it comes down to it, NMU, GVSU, and Central, Eastern, and Western Michigan Universities are all fine and dandy, but it basically comes down to UM Wolverines or MSU Spartans. Why? Well, your tax dollars go to support the schools, for one; and for another, if you're from Michigan and have moved across the country, they are MUCH more prevalent on national (or even regional) broadcasts. And it's a Wolverine or Spartan switching allegiances is pretty well unheard of, it's just a tad more civil up here than it is down there with, say, Auburn-Alabama. From there, I went to college at Wisconsin-Oshkosh, a D-III school; and Wisconsin has ONE D-1 football program: The Badgers. My arrival in Wisconsin coincided with Alvarez turning the program around, and I hopped onto the bandwagon during the 92/93 seasons (they were 5-6 both years, so I wasn't exactly frontrunning). I figure that when you are from a certain state, you will naturally glom onto the biggest, most prominent/successful school identified with that state in your chosen sport - and to a certain extent, the Badgers and their fans represent Wisconsin to much of the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Country Posted May 21, 2003 Share Posted May 21, 2003 AtomicCEO: I went to a small crappy school famous only for producing Rick "The Dunking Dutchman" Smits. (for bonus points... what school did I attend?) You went to Marist.. do I get a prize other than useless trivia answer of the day guy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted May 21, 2003 Share Posted May 21, 2003 Big Country: AtomicCEO: I went to a small crappy school famous only for producing Rick "The Dunking Dutchman" Smits. (for bonus points... what school did I attend?) You went to Marist.. do I get a prize other than useless trivia answer of the day guy? It's sad that you know that. Your prize is your shame. :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myhousekey Posted May 21, 2003 Author Share Posted May 21, 2003 Well it's nice to see some civilized honest answers around here for once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubfoothead Posted May 22, 2003 Share Posted May 22, 2003 Always wanted to go to the University of Michigan growing up and was a fan of the team. Actually loved the look of the uniforms and that attracted me to them (Dad has 0 interest in college football, never did). Have stuck with the University of Michigan since childhood despite the fact I attended a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference school, which even if I were interested, would not follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grits and Shins Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 I would only be speculating as well ... my father despises all sports and never went to college, so I grew up not being a fan of any school. When considering institutions to attend in the state of Texas I considered both UT and A&M. Ultimately I choose A&M because it felt more like a college community at College Station than it did in Austin. Now of course I am an Aggie (first generation) and root for A&M. However, I do root for tu to do well as a representative of the Big 12 South. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billay Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 This kind of stuff doesn't just go for football, but basketball too. The number of duke fans has grown exponentially in nc over the last few years. I wonder why But you'll see some bumpkin walking down the street with a mullet and a six pack with one can left hanging in it wearing a duke hat and shirt. I would say 80% of duke fans didn't go there. Heck, there aren't even any duke alumns in nc anyway... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polksalet Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 I was raised in SW Arkansas just west of where Clinton is from. Because of my beliefs as a Christian and my refusal to support organized crime I am not nor have ever been a razorback fan. I attended Panola College in East Texas. Perhaps our most famous alumnus is Fabulous Flournoy. Fabuls was called up and played three minutes for the Clippers one night in about '96. I am a fan of Arkansas State as my doc went to school there and I have attended a few classes there as well. However living in Texas for as long as I did you really have to choose a team to root for, and with my personality and convictions, there was a small chance chance of me being a sip. Ultimately I plan to return to CS in the next couple of years and pursue my M.S. in geodetics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myhousekey Posted May 27, 2003 Author Share Posted May 27, 2003 Polk if you had to choose, I must say you made a good choice! Gigem Aggies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polksalet Posted May 28, 2003 Share Posted May 28, 2003 myhousekey: Polk if you had to choose, I must say you made a good choice! Gigem Aggies! How do you think I would fit in as a sip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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