So yesterday was an interesting day. It was ODU football gameday and we were in the middle of enjoying a warm day of tailgating when a golf cart pulls up to our spot. Inside are ODU Athletic Director Wood Selig and former ODU basketball great Darius James. They asked my wife if this was spot 14 and then asked for me! I was just walking up to the scene after hanging with our daughter on the little boardwalk overlooking the water. My wife then pointed to me and the next thing I know they are shaking my hand, introducing themselves to me, and presenting me a gift. They had noticed my online posts about ODU on twitter and tumblr and wanted to call me out for spreading the word and being positive. I was shocked. They had been following along with some of my other posts too because Darius asked who won the ping pong tournament we had weeks ago, asked us about the Adele concert we went to recently, and thanked us for all the positive coverage of ODU. They then gave us a package with an ODU football shirt and a football signed by Coach Bobby Wilder! It was amazing! I couldn’t believe they had followed my posts and came all the way out to our little tailgate to thank us.
I have been an ODU fan for a long time – over 30 years. Ever since I started going to basketball games as a freshman in late 1985. Boy I’m getting old. After graduation I started getting season tickets for men’s basketball and still have them today – adding seats as our family grew. We started going to women’s basketball in the late 90’s when we had a top 5 team and stuck with them until around 4 years ago – after Wendy Larry left the program. We’ve been to lots of baseball games, wrestling matches, and field hockey games – even being at the game when they won their 9th national championship in 2000. And, of course, we’ve been a big supporter of ODU football since it started up in 2009, helping the Monarchs sell out all 50 home games in it’s 8 year existence. We’ve also traveled to games at NC State, ECU, JMU, and William & Mary.
I’ve always thought it important to support the school you went to. There are so many people who went to one school but then take the courageous move to be a “fan” of Duke or UNC or Notre Dame. They are the true heroes. But I choose to be a fan of my college, and to be there at the games with my family and friends through thick and thin. It’s a lot of fun watching the freshman come in every year – watching them develop and grow, getting out there with the crowd to watch the battles, and being able to celebrate the rare occasions when championships are won. And even though, as fans, we grumble some at after game dinners about poor play or decisions made – we try to be positive at the games and in our comments online. I know I couldn’t imagine the pressure these kids must feel out there. When they drop a pass or miss a free throw, they surely didn’t do it on purpose. They wanted to make the play more than anyone. Plus – it’s just a game – and a reason to get out in the world and interact and be entertained. And when everything just lines up perfectly and magic happens. Well…
