State no matter what. The rest of college football I don’t care.
First game
- Thread starter RocketDawg
- Start date
I had forgotten about him getting shipped off to SEC network those last couple of years
Hey Bruce, I played rugby @ State in the early 80's and we were State fans through-and-through, but given it was a club sport, I've often wondered to what degree varsity sports athletes felt sincere loyalty to the school, both during their playing years and after.
Our rugby team cared more about our own games on Saturdays, of course, but we also were diehard MSU fans, especially for baseball & football. And in my time, basketball was fun too with Jeff Malone lighting up scoreboards. Of course, we all spent a lot of time in the LFL, watching more than a few of your moon-shots!
Are you typical or something of an exception? Would you say it depends on when you played? For instance, do athletes who came after you feel the same way in general, or would you say that's changed quite a bit? How about by sport played? Do you think some varsity sport teams tend to be more fans of their school than others?
I remember seeing video clips of our 2017 baseball team watching and enthusiastically cheering on the women's basketball team as they knocked off UConn. And who can forget how much Dak has supported all our teams since he went pro? But again, I do wonder how common that is.
What say you? And if you don't mind sharing, what was it like going from Long Island to Starkville? Quite a culture shock I would imagine.
I have posted recently that is my major concern about this transfer portal thing. I treasure my time at State because it is the time I developed some great friendships and bonds with people with all sorts of different backgrounds. I also treasure my years on campus and in Starkville. I would have never gone to central Mississippi if it wasn't for baseball. I would have never known what is now so important in my life.
There were times I didn't like what was happening, but back then you were pretty much stuck. That turned out to be a good thing for me. I am concerned today's player doesn't get to have that bond with a place. If you played on 3 different teams in 4 years where is your Alma Mater, your Nourishing Mother? It is something I didn't think was important at 21 but at 65 it's invaluable.
So yes many of my ex teammates I know feel a similar way. We have a group chat. We talk about our time in Starkvegas. When we get to see each other, it's like we never parted. And I wouldn't have all these damned maroon clothes and hats.