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SOMETHING OF SIGNIFICANCE

Instead of an analysis on the Missouri Western game or a preview of the upcoming Southwest Baptist contest, I thought I’d offer something of more “significance” to Mules fans.

In fact, if you want a good summary of the game, then just click on the link to digitalBURG.com where you’ll find the most thorough and accurate public article available on last Saturday’s outcome.  Furthermore, for those of you who have never been to that web site, I am of the opinion that you’ll also find some of the very best Division II college football photographs (taken by my friend Dave Kopp) available anywhere in the country.  The web site is fairly new, but don’t be surprised to see it garner some journalism awards in the not too distant future. 

http://www.digitalBURG.com/artman/publish/article_2778.shtml

For the best analysis of the upcoming homecoming game this Saturday with Southwest Baptist, simply take the link to the UCM Football web site and check out the “Game Notes”.

http://www.cmsu.edu/athletic/football/index.cfm?pg=fbnews.htm

“TRUE FAN” or “FAIR WEATHER FAN”

Is this Mules Team where some of us thought (and even more of us had hoped) they would be at the midpoint of the season?  Nope.  Have they had some close and disappointing losses?  Yep.  Are all hopes for the playoffs lost?  Probably; unless something really strange happens.  Is this one of Willie Fritz’s best teams at Central?  Nope.  Is this still a competitive team?  Yep.  Are you getting tired of me asking such painfully obvious and closed-ended questions? (this question is rhetorical)

Well, in order to offer readers something “Significant”, I need to ask a more open-ended question, where the answer is not so obvious, and where the answer truly “depends” upon them.  So, I’ll ask it and at the same time warn you it may require some objectivity in answering.  Are you a True Fan or a Fair Weather Fan?

I can’t answer the question, except for myself, but I can offer some criteria to help the reader in answering it.

First, the attributes of the Fair Weather Fan…

• Their first reaction is to be pessimistic.
• They only go to games only when the team is winning.
• They play “Monday Morning Quarterback”, offering criticism only in the form of complaints.
• They can be found yelling at players and coaches when something bad happens.
• They wear team apparel only after a win.
• They are concerned with the team’s association with them.

Now, for the qualities of the True Fan… 

• Their first reaction is to be optimistic.
• They go to games whenever they can regardless of the team’s record.
• They offer constructive criticism, which includes some potential fixes, when it’s called for.
• They encourage players and coaches when something bad happens.
• They wear team apparel all the time.
• They are concerned with their association with the team.

It is difficult to tell the two types of fans apart when good things are happening.  After all, both True Fans and Fair Weather Fans can be found rooting for the same team, eating the same barbeque, and yes, they even sometimes drink the same beer!

If you find yourself with more of one set of attributes than the other set of qualities, then perhaps the next logical step is to ask yourself, do you like the category this puts you in?

Now, being a True Fan doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a better a person than the Fair Weather variety, but it sure does tell a whole lot about your love for the game of football.  You see, I believe that a True Fan loves the game for the people involved in it and the Fair Weather variety likes football for what it does for them.  True Fans want to be a part of success whereas the Fair Weather Fan just wants to be associated with it.  Finally, in my opinion, the Fair Weather Fan isn’t a bad person; they are simply missing out on an opportunity for something far more gratifying. 

Meet you on the High Ground…

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