A Fan In The Stands

High School Basketball continues to be a big part of our lives this winter as our oldest son, Neil, plays basketball for Calvary Academy High School.  Athletics is such a great way to teach so many life and spiritual lessons.  It has also been an incredible experience for the entire family.  Our younger children have been able to learn about how to love and support their older brother.  It has been good to see them step in and do Neil’s chores for him while he is away at practice or a game.  They are learning that as a family we are present in one another’s lives (Translation:  They sit through two basketball games a night an average of two nights per week). By watching this group of young men we have learned how to play unselfishly, how to win graciously, how to lose graciously, and that it takes dedication and practice to work together as a team.  Most importantly, we’ve had lessons on how to be a good fan in the stands!

There are your typical fair weather fans.  They show up when your team is winning and disappear or have better things to do when your team is losing.  On the opposite end are the fanatical fans that do crazy things – body paint, crazy game day outfits, game day rituals, etc.  Then there are those fans in the middle that attend games and cheer you on no matter the weather or the team’s record.  They buy season tickets or reserved seating.  They wear their team colors.  They applaud effort, hustle, and hard work - win or lose.   

I have been shocked at some of the behaviors of the adults in the stands this season.  I have been shocked to hear about some of the behaviors of the adults in the stands this season.  In a recent game over Christmas break, Brad came home to report that the opposing team had a large group of fans three rows behind our team’s bench.  Calvary lost this game, and instead of this group of fans cheering for their team…that just won the game…they chose to yell and taunt our team who lost.  How sad to hear a group of 40+ year old adults felt the need to hurl insults and rude comments at a group of 15-18 year old young men and their coaches.  Brad said he was so proud of our team.  They held their heads high, congratulated the winning team, and ignored the fans.

At a recent home game, the opposing team’s fans were all over the referees.  In particular, a young lady whom I’d guess to be about a senior in high school was under the basket on the sidelines.  She stood out to me not because of the skin tight leopard pants she was wearing, not because she was stomping her feet, pointing her fingers, or because of the torrent of ugly words spewing out of her mouth, but because her mother was standing right there beside her and didn’t say a word to stop her.  I was stunned.  I continued to be during the rest of the game while grown men stood and yelled at our boys and the refs.  It was so disappointing to see the example they were setting to the younger people in the gym that night.

Lastly, there is the obnoxious, egotistical fan.  They are very deceptive as they blend in very well with the other fans.  But after you discover them you stay far away from them on the bleachers.  I’ve observed this fan type throughout many years in Upwards basketball, youth baseball leagues, soccer games, football games, and other events.  It is frustrating when this fan ridicules and belittles other members of their child’s team as “encouragement/cheering”.  It is annoying when this person never yells at their own child when they make the same mistake.  I’ve heard this type of fan turn to another fan in the stands and start to question why a particular player is even on the playing field.  Why, it must be because of that player’s parents’ position in the community or their relationship with the coach, of course.  Why else would that child be playing?  How this fan can demean and tear down one of their own team’s players OUT LOUD for other fans to hear just puts me over the edge.

People are watching and LISTENING to us all the time.  Young children and youth in the stands are soaking up the things we do.  We are setting an example to them, even by just being a fan in the stands.  After one particular game, Brad, Neil and I were talking about the game, the opposing team’s fans, and the referees.  When we were finished the van was quiet.  Out of the dark, from the back of the van we hear Madeline’s sweet voice, “Why can’t they see it’s just a game?”  So young, and yet so wise!  Fans have to keep things in perspective.  It is a game.  It’s an opportunity for our children to use the skills and athletic talents God has given them to play and compete.  It’s also an opportunity for us, as fans, to use our voices to encourage, support, and build up these young men and women and display good sportsmanship.    

My red shirt is clean (our team colors).  The concession stand money is ready to go (for the kids’ snacks).  I’m ready to be a fan in the stands for Calvary Academy.  Go Saints!