Personal Essay--The Emotional Tie of Sports

It struck me late Monday afternoon when I was watching the Iowa State-Tulsa Liberty Bowl game.

I had just invested three-and-a-half hours rooting for Iowa State and the Cyclones were going to lose. It was a sad time. It was a sad two days actually. Sunday, I watched my favorite NFL team lose to a certain opponent north of the Iowa border. Therefore all told, Monday evening my emotions were definitely down.

The so familiar losing outcome in my sports watching world made me think. When I was young and my favorite team lost, my mother would say: “Somebody has to lose and somebody has to win.” My response was “Why do my teams always have to lose.” But really, why does an outcome of a sports game pull so much weigh on my emotions?

I think the answer lies in a word from the financial sphere. My emotions rely on the “investment” I place on a particular team.

I have watched hundreds of college football and basketball games. Currently, I cheer for Iowa State basketball and football and Baylor basketball. In the past, I was invested in North Carolina State. I always cheer for teams with a personal connection.

But similar to finance, when my investment is high in a particular team, my emotions will ride on a victory or a loss. But then I ask myself: “Isn’t sports a form of entertainment? Does it really matter in my particular life whether a certain college team wins a ballgame”?

Probably a good thing to ponder as I begin the year 2013.

What are your emotional ties to the sports world?

Iowa State Fans Still Love Johnny Majors

What is with the Iowa State fans and their love with the Johnnies?

I have written about the Cyclone fan’s affection for former basketball coach Johnny Orr. Now, the love fest has turned to former football coach Johnny Majors.

The Iowa State football opposes Tulsa Monday afternoon at the Liberty Bowl. Majors took the Cyclones to the Liberty Bowl in 1972. So it’s a reunion of sorts and Majors is in Memphis to cheer on the present Cyclone squad.

Majors was a young coach when at the Iowa State helm. He later won a national championship with Pittsburgh and coach at his alma mater Tennessee. Still, Iowa State claims Majors as one of its own. And with good reason. Majors took the Cyclones to two bowl games in a day when bowl game numbers were small and the records were respectable. Plus, Iowa State had no bowl tradition.

Majors proved Iowa State could win football games. It took a long time but Dan McCarney and present coach Paul Rhoads finally restored the winning ways.

My high school memories of Majors and his Iowa State program are a bit fuzzy. But I do remember it was big deal when Majors took the Cyclones bowling. Other programs noticed Majors too and it wasn’t long before his era in Ames, Iowa was over.

Many memories are fun. That’s why Iowa State celebrates a Johnny’s place in Cyclone football history.

A Letter to Iowa State Football Coach Paul Rhoads

Congratulations Coach on helping your Iowa State football team received a Liberty Bowl bid. You already beat Tulsa once this year, so make it a twofer.

I truly appreciate what you have done for the Cyclone football program. I love your passion and fire. You seem to truly care for your football players and that scores high marks with me. And you are a fellow Iowan. You understand Iowa and certainly the Iowa State culture.

I attended my first game this season since you took the Cyclone job. Jack Trice Stadium was a rocking place. Even in defeat, the atmosphere was electric. I have been to football games in the past where the mood was “We can’t wait for basketball season.”

You have the opportunity to become one of the special coaches in Iowa State history. You know that special history isn’t long. So embrace it, Coach. Go for it. Be a long-term Cyclone. Truly do something special.

Other places will want to hire you as their coach, but please think long-and-hard

if specific opportunities are presented. Remember, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence, and the grass is pretty green at Jack Trice Stadium these days.

Give my regards to Coach Bill Bleil. We have a history together back at Northwestern College.

Best to you and the Cyclone football program.