Dedicated_to_Sports

SOC 318 Sociology of Sport Dedicated to Sports Brian Freeland December 15, 2010 A sports fan as defined in the dictionary is "an enthusiastic devotee or follower of sports. A sports fanatic, as I am, is "a person with an extreme enthusiasm for sports. The difference between a fan and fanatic is a matter of degree. A fanatic will follow, watch and comment on any and every sport that is on the forefront for the day. A sports fanatic will know something about every sport played. They know whether a sport is presided over by a referee, umpire, official, timer or judge. They know which sport requires the players to police and enforce their own rules. When asked in what sport do the game officials run around in shorts, a fanatic will know the answer. They know that some sports officials are "zebras," and they know why. A sports fan or fanatic will try his or her best to attend every sport in person. Most of the time that is impossible. Therefore, sports fans and fanatics need a minimum set of tools to advance their passions. The first tool is old school, the AM/FM radio. Of course, satellite radios with multiple sports channels are an advancement that is often pursued. The next tool in the set is the various kinds of computers and hand-held electronic devices that can send text messages, pictures, e-mails, news flashes, surf the web, etc. Sports dedication supports a functionalist model of society in which intense fanatical dedication to sports creates a micro chasm of stability and equilibrium based on common interests and convictions among fans of a team. Many socio-economic barriers are completely erased when viewed through the lens of passionate support of a sports team according to Shank, The lack of a relationship between sports involvement and level of income is interesting, in the case of involvement with sports in general, people of all income levels may feel involved. (p435) A brief glance of the stands of many major sports venues will provide a picture of the broad cross section of society that is brought together through dedication to that sport. Functionalism is a form of structural theory based on the assumption that all social worlds are organized around shared values and need to be preserved or tweaked here and there to improve efficiency and social integration" (Coakley, J., 2009,). Showing up as a Redskins Fan at a Cowboys game would provide substantial amounts of conflict, the phenomenon of sport dedication supports functionalism due to the singular focus, the shared value of the fan base. Hunt said because the object of attachment acquires meanings and significance beyond that of simple involvement or importance” (p. 439). People are looking to be a part of something far beyond themselves. A brief search of Google will return more than 24 million entries for “part of something bigger.” Wanting to be part of a bigger organism and what it supports, namely norms, customs, traditions and institutions, allows for greater solidarity and social cohesion, (Coakley, J. 2009). Fan culture is a way to find that. By identifying with a good team, an individual can associate themselves with greatness, with achievement, and with success individual effort or risk of individual loss. They can also find cohesion and camaraderie among those with which they would have no other common bonds. Steelers’ Fans are notorious for bonding in packs with their “Terrible Towels” to show solidarity before, during, and after a game. While the next day they go back to their white or blue collar job, having nothing more in common with one another than being a carbon based life form – and a Steelers’ Fan. This allows the fan to take credit for the team’s victories by basking in reflected glory which “involves the tendency for an individual to attempt to internalize the success of others” (Hunt, K. 1999) as well has share the pain of loss with a great many people and have a pool of solace in which to drown sorrow after a defeat. Fans will console each other after a loss by counting the number of Super Bowl victories “we’ve won.” Though they personally had nothing to do with the actual victory, they claim ownership as a fan. Being a dedicated sports fan does not come with guarantees The Steel Curtain was the nickname given to the front four of the famous defensive line of the American football team Pittsburgh Steelers during their 1970s dynasty years. This defense was the backbone of the Steelers dynasty, which won 4 Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, and XIV). Over the years, the nickname evolved into a reference to the entire defensive squad. In the 1976 season, the Steelers' defense was a juggernaut, arguably the greatest defense of all time. After the Steelers started 1-4 and lost their quarterback, Terry Bradshaw, the Steelers defense took over. In eight of the next nine games, the defense didn't allow a single touchdown, shutting out opponents five times including three consecutive. During this nine game stretch the Steelers allowed a total of two touchdowns and five field goals. The defense also allowed an average 3.1 points per game and the team had an average margin of victory of 22 points. Eight of the Steelers starting eleven defensive players were selected for the Pro Bowl, and four were eventually selected to the Hall of Fame. It seems like every city you go into their is a Steelers bar. REFRENCES Coakley, J (2009). Sports in Society: Issues and Controversies. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Hunt, K. A., Bristol, T., Bashaw, R. E. A conceptual approach to classifying sports fans. The Journal of Services Marketing, 1999. 13(6), 439. Retrieved November 8, 2009 from ProQuest on the World Wide Web: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb'did=116354717&sid=10&Fmt=3&clientId=74379&RQ T=309&VName=PQD Shank, M. D., Beasley, F. M. (1998, December). Fan or fanatic: Refining a measure of sports involvement. Journal of Sport Behavior, 21(4), 435-444. Retrieved November 8, 2009 from ProQuest on the World Wide Web: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb'did=36217512&Fmt=4&clientId=74379&RQT=309& VName=PQD