Sunday, March 7, 2010 — Team spirit was shown on Friday at many points around the county.
Local schools and individuals participated in a dress-up day to benefit the V Foundation.
By paying a minimum of $5 to the foundation, individuals were allowed to don their favorite team’s colors in anticipation of the rivalry game Saturday night between Duke and UNC.
It’s great to be able to show school spirit, especially when you’re helping to fund cancer research.
I always liked Jim Valvano. He had such a love of the game and was so enthusiastic, as evident in the much played clip of the 1983 NCAA championship win.
In honor of him and his foundation, we need to show our spirit, even though we may face tons of ridicule from the opposing side.
I know I have. Even when my team is winning the other side finds something at fault, even though they haven’t much to brag about this year.
That is, unless they beat my team last night. (That is, if you’re reading this Sunday morning and not late Saturday night.)
When I was in elementary school we had a few guys who would switch their team affiliations each year, depending on who was the champion or who was on a win streak.
That is not showing true school spirit. True spirit is cheering for your team when they are having a losing season, when their coach is out for a bad back and the team is filled with mostly beginners, not superstars.
Some people have told me that you can’t really cheer for a college team if you didn’t go to that school.
I would have loved to went to that school, however, the price of admission did not love me back.
I found myself caught in the middle late last year when my alma mater, Pfeiffer University, faced the Blue Devils in Durham.
Many people asked me which side I was on. I had to side with the Devils, however, the Falcons have had their win streaks and have been one of the highest scoring teams in the country, in any division level.
In this area we don’t see team spirit exhibited for other sports as much as we do for college basketball.
We don’t have as many hardcore fans dressing up in outrageous outfits like the ones of the Oakland Raiders or the cheeseheads of the Green Bay Packers.
It may take a few more years for the Bobcats or Panthers to reach this kind of level, but there are a few fans getting in on the act.
But nothing can top the excitement that March brings, with visions of brackets dancing in our heads.
If you didn’t get to participate in a Show Your Spirit Day, you can still donate by visiting www.jimmyv.org.
B. J. Drye is managing editor of The Stanly News and Press. Write him at P.O. Box 488, Albemarle, NC 28002. E-mail snaponline25@yahoo.com.
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