This weekend was homecoming at my high school and I, of course, skipped the football game, but it did get me thinking about homecoming and its purpose.
Wikipedia helpfully informed me that: "Homecoming is an annual tradition of the United States. People, towns, high schools and colleges come together...to welcome back alumni and former residents. It is built around a central event...and, most often, a game of American football." And yes, I know Wikipedia is not a reliable source, but I'm pretty sure this definition is okay. The last part of this definition is perhaps the most interesting part - that the return of previous members of a high school or college is celebrated by a game of football. So much of people's loyalty to their previous high schools or colleges is wrapped up in their sports teams, especially football, and this loyalty can be very strong. My parents both went to University of Iowa, and although they have next to nothing to do with the school anymore, almost every year we've gone to a football game (though usually not around homecoming because it is so crowded). They've even managed to rub off on me enough that I support the Hawkeyes, albeit in a vague, I-don't-really-care-about-sports type way.
It seems to me that after leaving college, many people that come from colleges with good sports teams condense all of their identity with their college into supporting its sports teams, and have little else to do with it, aside from perhaps keeping up with friends. Why is this? I don't really know. I don't really care about sports, so I am perhaps not the best person to ask. Maybe it's because we already love sports, and it's convenient. Maybe it's because the competition gives everyone a common identity and goal, that even people who haven't been to the school for decades can understand and share. Whatever it is, it's only America that does it.
I really enjoyed thinking about this Hayley. I too find it fascinating that both my parents will brag over how well their alma mater is doing this season even though they don't know the current athletes and haven't visited in years. I think it's very possible that people take such pride in sports titles because it's something tangible. There is a clear winner and a clear loser. For example, Boston College (my mom's alma mater) has a great program for Education, and even though many will agree, someone could still refute it because technically, it's an opinion. But if BC won in hockey 3-2 against Notre Dame, no one can argue the winner. Winning a sports game entails bragging rights. What I don't understand is why those bragging rights mean so much. If a school has poor academics I don't care whether they win March Madness or not. College is in fact an institute intended for learning is it not? I'm not going to lie, I do enjoy the spirit of a football game, but a school impresses me with their academics- not whether they've won the Rose Bowl.
ReplyDeleteI have always been confused when people talk about how their parents love their colleges. I'll be honest and say that I have no idea which colleges my parents went to because they simply never talk about them. However, I think my parents are just the exception to this idea because many of my friends have had a similar experience as you both. I think that the love for going back to watch sports games of their colleges comes from the need to reconnect with their past. Like Bridget said its something "tangible", they can revive some of their old fond memories from college with a football game.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hayley's statement that "it's because the competition gives everyone a common identity and goal." I think the main reason people watch sports or participate in them is simply because they want to feel a connection with others. Sports help to motivate everyone surrounding them under one goal or purpose; win the game. It unites everyone and bonds them in a way that is often fun and exciting.