Grondar

Heya everyone.

With the college football season starting up, it made me wonder why people like the college teams that they do.

Do you root for your college team based on it being your alma mater, the fact that it's "local," or do you have some other reason?

College football has such a great atmosphere and such great fans, and when I see them, it makes me wonder what makes them love their team so much, and why they like that particular team. Granted, most are likely students, but I wonder why you all like the team you do?

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sailor

Because I go there

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"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws."
--Plato

CityOfAngels

I don't care about football, but my favorite basketball team is UofA (Arizona). I like them because they're pretty consistent with putting quality players in the NBA. Here's just a small list of 'em: Mike Bibby, Richard Jefferson, Michael Dickerson (now retired, but he was decent when he played), Jason Terry, Luke Walton, Steve Kerr, Andre Iguodala, and the list goes on.

I don't know HOW Jason Gardner didn't get drafted. Also, let us all forget about Miles Simon

Cross-Over

I root for "home-town" teams, but not entirely in the typical sense.

I live in Maryland and root for the Terps, Ravens, Wizards, O's, etc.

However, I was born in Georgia, and I root for the Bulldogs, Yellowjackets (I know, I know, but it's been like that since I was a kid), Falcons, Hawks, Braves, etc.

radioguy

North Texas Mean Green!!!!!!!! Alma Mater and they are up and coming.

Cowman

WAKE
FOREST

who knows why

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heccubusiv

Notre Dame-cause i have applied there twice and have got accepted twice but it cost too damn much, and Duquesne(yes D-1) because its where i ended up

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Fuck Ohio

MontanaXVI

Well living in Ohio namely Columbus I am surrounded by rowdy obnoxious "we should be undefeated national champs and have a heisman winner every year" Ohio State fans. I have never said the team sucks, but it is the way the fans act that makes me dislike or not follow the team. I could become a Michigan fan like half the population here in Ohio just to piss off and start shit with the OSU fans.

I am a Florida State fan now let me tell you how/why that came about. When I was in high school (Freshman or Sophomore year) my grandparents took a trip to Florida for vacation, and being the naive one that I was and just riding the wave of bandwagoners, I said get me a Miami Hurricane t-shirt or something. Long story short they come home with an FSU jersey and I just started looking them up online and following stats and have liked em ever since.

I know it is cheesy but waaaay better than the reason stated above that most people are Michigan fans around here, and it was ohh soo sweet to win all that money when FSU STOMPED the Bucks in the Sugar bowl a few years back.

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marz

Well with me its just a tradition. I remember when i was appox 5 years old driving around with my dad, listening to John Ward announce Tennessee football games, and the fever has been with me ever since, and even though UT is usually on tv every week, i would love to hear John Ward say TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE!!! Also around here if your not a big orange fan, your sort of considered a trator.

cameroncrazy822

This is a big surprise but I like the Duke basketball program for many reasons. First and foremost it's Coach K. He is an incredible teacher, leader, and mentor to the kids in his program. He motivates like no other coach out there right now. Secondly it's becasue of how esteemed a Duke education is. Duke is one of the top ten schools in the country and coupled with the amazing success and dedication he gets from his players, I just think the combination can't be beat. I am impressed at how smart these kids have to be to go to class at Duke and are equally as talented on the basketball court. I believe they are the epitome of the student athlete. I bleed Blue Devil blue! I could go on and on about Mike and his talents and skills as a coach/motivator/court general but this post would be way too long.

Glory's Sun

I've been a florida state fan since I didn't even know what a football was It was kinda placed onto me. I have pictures of me when I was barely walking with FSU shirts on. Of course the love grew over the years and now that miami is in the acc I really really hope we have plenty of chances to kick their asses.

I'm also a duke fan in basketball. I would quote alot of the same reasons that cameroncrazy822 does..

dy156

I like Baylor. No, I'm not a masochist. I went there for seven years. I made extra money in school by tutoring football players, so I got to know them and a few coaches and cared a little more than was normal, I suppose.
I get a little defensive when people put down Baylor football. Like here, for example.
http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...lor#post542868

Jaiddin

Oklahoma Sooners.

My dad raised me on Sooner football, from the low of losing the championship to the huskies in 84, to the awesome 85 wishbone magic of Jamel Holloway. Having endured the decade of mediocrity that was the 90s, its damn good to have the place at the table every year again come championship time.

dylanmarsh

Because they aren't Notre Dame.

djtestudo

Duke sucks.

FSU sucks slightly less, but that's only because there are supersize black holes that suck less then Duke.

Yes, I am a Maryland fan. Grew up with them when the basketball team was developing and the football team sucked, then managed to go to school there right when both became good. Fan for life.

Did I mention Duke sucks?

(Virginia and West Virginia too.)

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Mondak

Go Terps!!!

alma mater. . . oh yeah . . . I agree - Duke Sucks. . .bitches

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All truth passes through three stages:
First it is ridiculed
Second, it is violently opposed and
Third, it is accepted as self-evident.

ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)

irateplatypus

LOL, I got a kick out of that one. I'm kinda the same way because it seems like a lot of people say they like Notre Dame just because they're the first team they can think of. I wouldn't apply that to heccubusiv though. Anyway...

BOOMER SOONER!!!

I love the Oklahoma Sooners. The tradition is among the strongest in the country, my fellow fans are devoted (if sometimes rude), and uncommonly loyal. The old running and wishbone days got me hooked (I love that style of football), but I've been a hardcore fan since. I've been to a lot of football games, the energy and atmosphere at any OU game blows any other game i've been to away. We don't have any major professional teams in our state, so all our redneck love goes straight to the crimson'n cream.

I'll cheer for Oklahoma State, Air Force, and Nebraska when they aren't playing OU.

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If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.

~ Winston Churchill

dy156

irateplatypus, I should have guessed it. a conservative okie? Nah....

irateplatypus

yup, a conservative living in the great state of Oklahoma... a rare breed.

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If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.

~ Winston Churchill

raven12

Alot of Maryland fans in here. I live in maryland too so i dislike duke too!

Go_AVS

CSU (Colorado State University)

2 reasons..

first because I went there, and second cause I love the underdog. CSU was like the red headed step child of the state but is finally gaining the respect it now deserves.

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MIA...

warrrreagl

Auburn.

1) My father played there in the early 50's.
2) My ex-brother-in-law played there in the early 70's.
3) I grew up in Auburn, and spent every Fall home game Saturday in the stadium.
4) My parents, sisters, brother, and myself all attended Auburn. My mother is the only one who is not a college graduate. Also, my wife's parents and brothers are all Auburn graduates (like herself).
5) I worked for the Auburn Athletic Department in the 80's (Bo Jackson era).
6) My wife's grandfather was on the Board of Trustees in the 50's.
7) The sight of those blue jerseys taking the field still makes tears come to my eyes every damn Saturday.
8) I hate Alabama.

I guess any one of those reasons would be enough, but they're all in the mix somewhere.

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Living is easy with eyes closed.

cameroncrazy822

Come on fellas don't hate! Maryland is my second favorite team just a smiggen behind Duke.... or should I say Puke for you haters. LOL The ACC is gonna be SUPER SUPER strong this year. I'm really looking forward to it.

Sargeman

I'm from El Paso so I like anything UTEP. Unfortunately, they aren't very good in much. OR they go through good years and then spiral downward etc etc.

I'm also a "hometown" follower. I partied at Penn State when I was in the Navy. Lived in Louisiana(LSU), I live in TX (UT), live near Lubbock(Texas Tech).

Overall, UTEP is my number 1 team.

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...because there are no facts, there is no truth, just data to be manipulated. I can get you any results you like, what's it worth to you.....

bigoldalphamale

University of Tennessee = My alma mater

GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MikeyChalupa

Navy. Since I'm in it! Maybe only 1 game a year really matters, but to us it truly is the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. I also like Buffalo, since I went there for 3 semesters even before they were D1A, but they truly suck.

GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!

-Mikey

Horrendous

GO JACKETS!! Georgia Tech - alma mater
See that georgia tech/clemson game? whoo!!!! last seconds man... unbelievable
i actually never got into sports much until i went to college, so i'm mostly just try to follow my school team, and see what's goin on in the ACC.

teph

Damn! beat me to it.

I go to Tech - love the games. And yes, this game kicked ass.

vinmag7

FEAR THE TURTLE

grew up 15 minutes from college park -

season tickets to maryland basketball 78-79
greg manning( a good friend now) and buck williams freshman year
dad has masters from there
brother graduated from there
other brother and i have credits from there
worked there

hate duke & virginia

not a wvu hater have friends that work there
also root for - pitt(mom's alma mater and friend works there) , la tech - toledo - miami

cub4life78

Not really sure to be honest with ya, I am a big Nebraska fan and I think it's because of the plainness (is that a word?) of their uniforms and they play GREAT football, most of the time anyways.

Shizukana

University of Virginia... Go Cavaliers!!!

1) I used to live in Charlottesville, I was born on campus at the hospital there and it's where I still consider home, even though I haven't lived there in years.
2) I still have family in Charlottesville and nearby suburbs.
3) My uncle, who is only about twelve years older than I am and was like a brother to me growing up, graduated from UVA with a Civil Engineering degree.
4) My aunt (uncle's sister, not wife) went there for quite a while and got her Master's and part of her PhD from UVA.
5) UVA was among my top 3 choices of universities when I began my college hunt.
6) They just feel like my hometown team.

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"The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by those who don't have it." - George Bernard Shaw

perripken

Tarheel basketball because my father graduated from Duke and my rebellious youth tied in with Michael Jordan playing there.
Michigan football because my best freinds father took us to a Michigan Purdue game when I was 16.

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And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.
Abraham Lincoln

Raleighbum

Here's a pretty good reason to cheer for Arizona...



don't you think?

Raleighbum

damn.. she works for Cardinals not Sun Devils...
well still a good reason - GO Arizona!

choskins

Two degrees from USC

Go Gamecocks!

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Mondak

an act against GOD! These two cannot coexist. I think you are a sports Bigamist. Please refer to this article if you have any questions:

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/simmons/020227.html
Rules for Being a True Fan
here are the relevant parts


Loyalties
18. If you live in a city that has fielded a professional team since your formative years, you have to root for that team. None of this, "The Bengals weren't very good when I was growing up in Cincy, so I became a Cowboys fan" crap.

Also, you can't start rooting for a team, back off when they're in a down cycle, then renew the relationship once the team starts winning again. All those Cowboys fans who jumped off the bandwagon in the late-'80s, jumped back on during the Emmitt/Aikman Era, then jumped back off in the late-'90s ... you know who you are. You shouldn't even be allowed out in public.

Wrigley fans
You are required to root for the home team under almost all circumstances.
(There's nothing worse than a Bandwagon Jumper. If sports were a prison and sports fans made up all the prisoners, the Bandwagon Jumpers would be like the child molesters -- everyone else would pick on them, take turns beating them up and force them to toss more salads than Emeril Lagasse.)

19. Once you choose a team, you're stuck with that team for the rest of your life ... unless one of the following conditions applies:

# Your team moves to another city. All bets are off when that happens. In fact, if you decided to turn off that sport entirely, nobody would blame you.

# You grew up in a city that didn't field a team for a specific sport -- so you picked a random team -- and then either a.) your city landed a team, or b.) you moved to a city that fielded a team for that specific sport. For instance, one of my Connecticut buddies rooted for the Sixers during the Doctor J Era, then happened to be living in Orlando when the Magic came to town. Now he's a Magic fan. That's acceptable.

# One of your immediate family members either plays professionally or takes a relevant management/coaching/front office position with a pro team.

# You follow your favorite college star (and this has to be a once-in-a-generation favorite college star) to the pros and root for his team du jour ... like if you were a UNC fan for the past 20 years, and you rooted for the Bulls (because of MJ) and then the Raptors (because of Vince). Only works if there isn't a pro team in your area.

# The owner of your favorite team treated his fans so egregiously over the years that you couldn't take it anymore -- you would rather not follow them at all then support a franchise with this owner in charge. Just for the record, I reached this point with the Boston Bruins about six years ago. When it happens, you have two options: You can either renounce that team and pick someone else, or you can pretend they're dead, like you're a grieving widow. That's what I do. I'm an NHL widow. I don't even want to date another team.

# If you're between the ages of 20-40, you're a fan of the Yankees, Cowboys, Braves, Raiders, Steelers, Celtics, Lakers, Bulls, Canadiens and/or Oilers, and you're not actually from those one of those cities ... well, you better have a reason that goes beyond "When I was picking a favorite team as a kid, they were the best team, so I picked them."

Young New York fans
If you live in New York, you can't root for both the Yankees and Mets. Pick a side!
At least give me a reason like "Reggie Jackson was my favorite player growing up," or "I always liked the red Bulls uniforms," or even "Everyone in my gang wore Raiders colors." Do you really want to be known as a bona fide Bandwagon Jumper?

20. If you hail from New York, you can't root for the Yankees and the Mets. You have to choose between them. Repeat: You have to choose between them. Don't give me this "As long as one of them is doing well, at least New York is winning" spiels. What is this, the sports fan's version of bisexuality? How about making a choice? Any New Yorker who said the words "It's the Yankees versus the Mets ... I can't lose!" during the 2000 World Series deserves to be tortured with a cattle prod.

Besides, as we mentioned in the beginning of this column, you shouldn't practice "Sports Bigamy" in general. Sports teams are just like wives ... you can only have one wife, you can only have one sports team, and for the love of God, I will not argue about this.

(And yes, I'm talking to you, KJ.)

__________________
All truth passes through three stages:
First it is ridiculed
Second, it is violently opposed and
Third, it is accepted as self-evident.

ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)

MikeyChalupa

Well said Mondak. Being a fan of two teams in the same league is questionable at best. Two teams in the same conference or division? IMPOSSIBLE.

I love the Yankees, and the Red Sox are my second favorite team.

See how ridiculous that sounds?

-Mikey

CheesePizzaMan

Big Cal fan here, because we're the only school that gets to sit on our asses for 3 straight weeks without a fucking football game--so that Trev Alberts can rip us for "ducking" southern miss by declaring on MONDAY before the HURRICANE HIT that we were not going to fly into a HURRICANE! Apparently, Trev wanted us to hold hands with Southern Miss and announce that we weren't going at the same time as Southern Miss. I REALLY wanted this game, since USM is getting blown up in the media for beating Nebraska--a team that just threw its first pass (with something like 5 TOs) for the first time in what--80 years! I HATE losing out on a nationally televised game. Feel bad for the people in that hurricane though.

As someone who attended a winless season at home (1-10 on the year, beating only Rutgers), I'm just happy to kick back, watch all my games on nationally televised TV, and chill with this #10 ranking--however arbitrary they are.

You are my hero, Jeff Tedford.
Now get ready spank $C.

wrongfullyaccuzd

VTech is my surrogate college football team, since one of my best friends goes there, I've been to a game, and my school doesn't have a team of our own.