Another Washington Bandwagon Team
Megan Haley
Reporter
“Did you see that game last night?” Depending on the season, the team, and, of course, its record, that question echoes around not only school walls, but around the area. Most recently we have experienced such a sports following from the Capitals and their Stanley Cup Playoff series. However, a fair few of those same fans actually care about the team when they are not doing as well.
Junior Frankie Gerow is what might be called “a true Caps fan.” As a season ticket holder and avid game attendant, Gerow knows all about the Capitals and is with them through the good times and the bad.
“I don’t mind [people on the bandwagon] too much because it makes it that much more exciting when I go to the games, but what makes me angry is when the team starts going downhill and they act like they aren’t a fan. If you are going to be there for the game, at least be there for the team,” said Gerow.
This happens in other sports as well, not just hockey. Junior Cara Yaworske, a self-identified, hardcore Redskins fan is less than pleased with the bandwagon. “I think it’s stupid when people join bandwagons because they aren’t true fans, a true fan sticks with their team despite how well they are doing,” said Yaworske. “One of my friends became a Titans fan last year just because they were undefeated and it just pissed me off,” added Yaworske.
Now, nothing is inherently wrong with a sports team’s ability to make someone, who could not have cared less before about a team, into a true fan, but unfortunately, that is hardly the case. For the most part, these people are really into the game for a brief period and then, as quickly as they became fans, they no longer cared.
Compare this to someone who was a friend and it would not be tolerated. If anyone were only available for emotional support, at the best of times, they would do no one any good and beyond that no one would want to be a part of that kind of relationship. So why should it be okay for a “sports fan”?
