Syracuse Orange: Is being too positive of a ‘Cuse fan a bad thing?

I’m an optimistic Syracuse Orange fan, and when I chat with my fellow fans, I hear a lot of things. Boot licker/kiss butt! You must love losing! You’re blinded by Orange-shaded glasses! You’re not realistic! Does that make you better than me?

These are things often associated with certain fans who may view their team or sports in a mostly positive light. I’ve heard it because it applies to me at times.

First off, let’s be clear, I am no more or less of a fan than any other fan. That’s a misnomer people often use to label it nor am I better than anyone in any way. You’re not a bad or worse fan if you look at it from an analytical or even skeptical standpoint just like I’m not a better fan for my views.

Second, I’m not a butt kisser type personality though if it’s that extreme versus someone who is always complaining, I guess I’m closer to butt kisser in comparison. There are many in the middle top who take it play by play or game by game and that’s okay too.

Is there such a thing as being too positive of a Syracuse Orange sports fan?

For me, watching sports is an escape. I’m not looking to analyze every play or every player. I simply want to relax and enjoy it as a fan. It’s why I’m a fan because I see the joy in watching. I tried studying it and being more “knowledgeable” but in the end, I enjoy it more when I just look forward to every game filled with optimism and hopefulness as I escape from the realities of life.

I also like to believe not just my team but every team has a chance or else why are we even playing the games? I don’t count myself out of battles so why would I assume a team I love should be? Every day and every game is different and the fun aspect of sports is that anything can happen if one team plays better than the other on that given day no matter the odds.

When I was younger, I’d constantly hear local people trash my favorite team, sometimes even from Syracuse Orange fans who thought unless they won they stunk. Heck, I’m sure I’ve been frustrated many times myself but I try to brush it off and support my team.

I remember once being stopped wearing my Syracuse Orange generic varsity-style jacket and Orange hat outside a local Syracuse library by a stranger just to tell me how much Syracuse stunk. I love to support my team in hard times, and I want to be that guy who lifts them up and tells them that they’ll get them next time or learn from their mistakes.

If you’re embarrassed or ashamed to be a fan, maybe then I might ask why you’re even a fan. Find something that brings you joy instead. If you’re constantly looking for the negatives, you’re entitled to do so but again I ask why watch?

But if you’re just someone who is frustrated or maybe you’re a bit skeptical because you’ve been burned before, I totally understand and believe deep down you’re hoping they still win. And none of these makes you less of a fan than me either and if I’ve said so out of frustration, I apologize because I do get bothered sometimes because it’s not how I look at things.

I will go to my grave believing that we as fans could stick together and provide a positive environment for other fans, staff, players and future players to make Orange Nation one big “Ohana” filled with love & support. You knock one of us down, we lift each other up together and go into the next challenge as a supportive family.

Maybe sometimes I’m naive or my ideas aren’t realistic to some but they work for me. I’d love to believe one day we will all find more ways to unite us than divide us in general and we embrace that which we have in common. That we can come together for the teams we root for and find ways to be more of a happy family.

We can be that fan base where the player says, “I love how that fanbase comes together and shows me love…I want to play there.” And where we as fans, after the game, support each other and process it together win or lose, and we remember that it’s a game played to entertain us not just another way to divide us.

I love you! Go Orange!