Every country, for that part each area of a country, has its own sports attraction. As one travels to what is called ‘The South’ will encounter a decoration of Colleges and Universities attire on one’s personnel vehicle, homes, mailbox and on any given Saturday even exposed body area’s up to and including their pets as well. In one area of North Carolina lie 3 such Universities within a few miles of each other. Called the Triangle these lines connect N.C. State University in Raleigh, Duke University in Durham and University of NC in Chapel Hill.
Whenever any of these three teams play against each other has over the years become a local holiday where nearly all radio’s, TV and cell phones are tuned into the game. Bets are wages and rivalries going decades back are brought out with stories of classic game plays are retold 1,000 times over. It matters not what the teams overall standings are. Their ranking, wins/loses or even who is on the team means very little when two of these three teams face each other. Even when Michael Jordon played for UNC he had to play extra hard against Duke and N.C. State.
Many years ago I use to work for a grocery store in Zebulon. And every weekend the manager would setup the radio to broadcast the game over the intercom system. It was a service to all the employees, the customers and the perfect sells gimmick for during those games, that grocery store were full of customers shopping away while enjoying the play by play call of the game. It was truly busy during the half time part of the game as customers quickly paid for their items so they could return home to see the rest of the game while those watching the game ran to the store to stock up on more food and drinks.
A look at what was important to the people was broadcast on the radio sometimes in the early 80’s. The announcer said that the three most important thinks for a person and family are religion, college sports and NASCAR. People from other countries would scream for Soccer, Hockey, Sumo, Wrestling or even Horse Racing which is all important but for those living in ‘The South’ will follow college sports and NASCAR first before even looking towards other professional sports such as Baseball and Football. One of the best reasons is the beginning points of them.
With College sports you have young people who are playing for the love of the game. Sure they want to eventually play on a professional team but for now they are perfecting their skills and abilities. Getting use to playing in front of large crowds and being cheered and booed by fans and abstractors. They are still doing their school work to keep their grades up while using all their spare time to practice for upcoming games. No pay, no commercial endorsements and no free passes in the classroom. These players are donating what little free time they have to participate in an extra curricular activity. Even NASCAR started out as a poor mans sport to which the people who made it a sport cannot afford to attend anymore.
Look closely at professional sports players you see people playing for money and glory with little worry about breaking the law even showing respect. Years ago one player in California chocked his coach, many players continue taking questionable drugs, multiple affairs and illegal gambling with sports and animals. People who have forgotten where, how and whom helped their career to began. Unless it involves publicity stunt to either increase their popularity or to make people forget their mistakes.
Back around the mid 90’s I was in Hayward, California. I had a friend who was originally from the Northern part of England. One day a few of his friends who were mainly from other parts of England and Europe were together having a very energetic conversation. He saw me and asked me over to ask me what I thought was a rather strange question. He wanted to know how I thought about America defeating Germany three games in a row in Soccer. Without even thinking I made the statement ‘We have a Soccer team? High School or College?’ The next thing I experienced was one German man started speaking in German and it didn’t sound like he was too happy.
I was totally unaware that America had a professional soccer team. Needless to say I became aware that soccer games are not held every four years. I became more aware of other countries sports customs and to not only respect those traditions but to clearly see that those traditions in other counties, even different sports cultural areas inside America, mirror every other part of the world’s sports traditions. I saw a few Europeans cheering away for their favorite home team that day just as people here do for their home team. In a way, everyone in the world is more alike than we really realize.
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