2008 Woodie Awards
Rabid sports fans showcase insane side of college students
Emily Southwick
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: Soap Box
For those of us who are not sports fans, those who are can sometimes make us question their sanity. The Super Bowl, March Madness, the World Series; somehow, we really couldn't care less about those events, but they certainly do. There are times when we are left wondering how otherwise mature, intelligent adults can lose control and behave outrageously over a single game.
For some insight on this matter, I turned to my co-worker, Nick McCrea, who is the sports editor for The Maine Campus. I asked him to explain this mystifying phenomenon, particularly in light of the Red Sox's recent win at the World Series and the destructive celebration that ensued here on the University of Maine campus.
"Well, as far as car flipping and riot-like behavior, I think that probably isn't any more related to sports than it is to other aspects of society," McCrea said. "Any time you get a large group of people together with very similar or dissimilar interests -whether it be sports, politics or whatever - it seems that the mob mentality kicks in. That mob mentality is where the car flipping and boob flashing comes from. The hoodlums who flip cars don't do it because the Red Sox won the World Series; they do it because 'Come on dude, it'll be awesome!'"
Unfortunately, there was plenty of flashing, and a Pontiac Sunfire was tipped over when the Red Sox won several weeks ago. That night did not do much to improve the bad image college kids already tend to have.
"I really feel like sports draw so much support and interest because it's an escape from reality," McCrea went on to say. "It gives you a chance to root for something that doesn't affect you, your friends or family directly."
I will admit, I have stood in line several times to get into a Black Bears hockey game - once for about five hours in a torrential downpour with hurricane-force winds. It might have been worth it in the name of school spirit, but that is about as devoted to sports as you will ever see me.
For some insight on this matter, I turned to my co-worker, Nick McCrea, who is the sports editor for The Maine Campus. I asked him to explain this mystifying phenomenon, particularly in light of the Red Sox's recent win at the World Series and the destructive celebration that ensued here on the University of Maine campus.
"Well, as far as car flipping and riot-like behavior, I think that probably isn't any more related to sports than it is to other aspects of society," McCrea said. "Any time you get a large group of people together with very similar or dissimilar interests -whether it be sports, politics or whatever - it seems that the mob mentality kicks in. That mob mentality is where the car flipping and boob flashing comes from. The hoodlums who flip cars don't do it because the Red Sox won the World Series; they do it because 'Come on dude, it'll be awesome!'"
Unfortunately, there was plenty of flashing, and a Pontiac Sunfire was tipped over when the Red Sox won several weeks ago. That night did not do much to improve the bad image college kids already tend to have.
"I really feel like sports draw so much support and interest because it's an escape from reality," McCrea went on to say. "It gives you a chance to root for something that doesn't affect you, your friends or family directly."
I will admit, I have stood in line several times to get into a Black Bears hockey game - once for about five hours in a torrential downpour with hurricane-force winds. It might have been worth it in the name of school spirit, but that is about as devoted to sports as you will ever see me.
Be the first to comment on this story