Living a Double (Sports) Life
20/02/23 07:29
February 20, 2023 (Vol. 17 No. 12) - I admit it: When it comes to sports, I am two-faced. After living in Lawrence, Kansas, for more than three decades - longer than I have lived anywhere else - I am an unapologetic Kansas Jayhawks fan. My fandom is not just for the all-time winningest men's basketball program, but all of the teams, even when they don't win. One reason is that for nearly 30 years, many of those athletes were my students and they had my full support. Also, I am loyal fellow, perhaps to a fault - which is why I am two-faced. I cheer for the Jayhawks whenever they play - except when they play my first love, the Maryland Terrapins. I fell in love with the Terps as a freshman in College Park. They weren't all that good when I arrived on campus. But by the time I graduated in December 1973, both the football and basketball programs were nationally ranked and the men's lacrosse team was the national champion (as they are now). Unlike Kansas and most other college programs, the Terrapins labor in the shadow of two major markets competing for attention from six teams in the four major professional sports leagues. Especially during times of economic stress, disposable income required for ticket sales is limited. That's why the Terps don't sell out as often as they should. And yet, those who do show up are incredibly passionate, making Xfinity Center one of the toughest places to play in The Big Ten. However, even a Terps fan must bow to the passion and energy of Allen Field House - the greatest home court advantage in college basketball. This past weekend, my wife and I indulged in our love for the game. On Saturday, we watched the Jayhawks rally from 18 points down to beat Baylor by 17. Then yesterday, after a long drive to Lincoln, I saw my Terps lose a tough game in overtime to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. That's the nature of the sport: Some days you get the Bears, and some days you are shucked and out of luck. As I indicated in my February 1 post (Vol. 17. No. 8) no other sport elicits the pure passion as does college basketball. That's it for now. Rock Chalk Jayhawk - and Fear the Turtle. (Photo by David Guth)