Most of you know by now that I LOVE sports, especially BYU athletics. I am mainly a fan of Football and Men's Basketball. The part that may be surprising is that if I am not thinking about work, school, or church, next thing on my list is OF COURSE going to be BYU Football during this time of year or most of the year as a matter of fact. I worry about how the defense is going to fend against Norm Chows offense Saturday (or anybodies offense at this point in the season) I worry about different injuries on the team or if Austin Collie will step up and catch something this weekend. I eat, sleep, (literally when I dream, I dream about BYU football) and breathe BYU Football in the fall. Now don't get me wrong, I am a realistic fan, I know we aren't hands down the best program in the country... so I know I am not crazy...Although I do think we have the best coach in the nation... okay I'll stop rambling
Bottom line is I am a big fan and always have been. I know my priorities are a little skewed by going to the University of Utah BUT it is a good education in Sport and Exercise Science (of course can you think of any other major to suit me?), that is how I have learned to look at it. I like some aspects of the school... but that's a whole nether post. My husband has worked very hard with me to realize the the U is a good school and you don't have to hate the athletic program at the U just because you LOVE BYU. For those of you who don't know they are rival schools. Now I wouldn't say that I started out with an extreme hate for the U but I definitely wasn't FOND of the school. Now they are like any other school in the conference to me and I just so happen to receive my education there.
This brings me to my "Behavior Management" topic. A friend of ours has bought season tickets with us that isn't so much a BYU fan. He likes to root for the other team because he thinks it is funny to have opposition during the game. He doesn't know any one that plays on the opposing team, what their record is, or even what the team mascot is half the time.
This rubs me WAY wrong. I am a believer of good sportsmanship and I don't think that this is an example of this at all. It's a perfect non example actually. I have NEVER rooted for the team that plays against the U just because I didn't like the U. I purposely don't "dish" it because I know I cant "take" it. ALSO, there is no WAY that I would have bought season tickets to the team I was really impartial towards. I know this person isn't doing it to hurt my feelings and he is not a bad guy by any means, he just thinks it's funny like I stated earlier. Now I cant say that he necessarily wanted the tickets that bad to start off with, he was probably pressured a bit by my husband because that is all we do on the weekends in the fall, watch BYU football. So it was either get tickets or sit lonely at our boring house on the weekends, the same goes for basketball season in the winter as well. Obviously, we didn't know that he wasn't a fan of BYU, but who knew he liked playing devil's advocate?
Where the behavior management comes into play is HOW IN THE WORLD do I control myself and not get upset when he is ostentatiously rooting for the other team just for the opposition. Last game against Washington I wasn't on my best behavior and said something to him that maybe wasn't the KINDEST but I don't think it was out of line either. It causes just a bit of tension but if it keeps going I have a feeling I will have a little problem. It is my attitude that needs to change because I know I don't know how to "take a chill pill" so to speak specifically when it comes to BYU Football. It should be a good learning experience. Also, with the profession I am going into (PE Teaching) it would be advantageous to know how to keep my cool. Let me rephrase, I don't really ever loose my temper, in fact I cant really remember a time that I have "lost" my temper, I just let it boil in my skin the entire game. So I basically need to learn how to take my intensity level down a notch or two and realize it is not life or death it is just a game. If anybody knows me really well they know that I don't hold on to things that make me upset very long. I guess I am just like my grandpa and enjoy a good sporting event. I think this is where Sport Psychology comes into play... Is there anything that you all do in intense situations that help you calm down? Let me know what you do and I'll try and apply them to myself! Last thing we need is a troublesome situation over a football game! :)
Go Cougs.
8 comments:
Ah, Mick it's that competitive edge you have been gifted. I think to some extent we all have it. As I read your plight...I could relate to it, but with soccer and all my boys. If and when you hear how or find the key about learning to relax at a sporting event you are so invested in let me know. The one and most often thing that works for me si to take a deep breath and walk away. It is still hard...and I understand. LOVE YOU!
Not sure what to tell you...I've actually told people they can go home if they are rooting for the other team just to be obnoxious. If they are a true opposition fan than that is totally different.
No help here!!
I absolutely hate it when people do that- just to be obnoxious. For me, I get more than a little intense at my kids' sports, and I found a few years ago that if I take lots and lots of pictures, then I am nore focused on that then what else is going on so I don't get so uptight. I do know that once I start cheering or hollering, I am more likely to get emotionally upset. I would have a talk with your guest- not during a game when emotions are higher, and be honest with him. If he doesn't want to cheer FOR the Y, then he can at least have the common courtesy not to cheer against them in your house, or your presence, and I am certain we can find a true fan to buy his tickets since he really doesn't need them, and I am pretty sure it isn't Kosher with the Lord when we twist scripture to justify our misbehavior. Yep- I am oppinionated just a bit.
Oh man I have been there...ironically with a few ByU fans:) But I'm like you, I root for both unless they are playing each other. THat really sucks to have to deal with that every game now, I'm sorry! I don't know what I do to hold my temper because I'm not very good at it. But I tell Kailye to count to ten and that usually calms her down. I know it's cliche, but it works.
Hey where did mmy comment go. i guess i didn't type in that stupid word varification right. Sorry, now you don't get any of my pearls of wisdom :P
Ah mixing a passionate sports fan with a heckler...not a good combo. I've heard so many "heckler stories" from Stephen - some where he ended up in a fight! Yikes!
I'll give you the same advice I give Madeline when she has to deal with someone who is teasing. First, ignore them, Second, politely tell them it's not nice to say such things, and Third if they keep going come get mom and dad! LOL Obviously you don't need to run to your mommy, but I liked your mom's comment/advice...tell them to go home or watch the game else where!
Similar story...Stephen's a big Notre Dame football fan. So when I was accepted to USC he was a bit worried. He said he thought it would be very difficult to support and root for USC (if I went there) because he hates them with a passion! LOL Luckily for him I decided to go to a different more affordable college.
I do find in professional baseball Stephen will rooth for some other team just so the team they are playing (usually on top of his team in standings) looses.
Mickie, just don't allow him to make your skin crawl. Think happy thoughts! :-)
It's obvious to me that the real question is "What do I do about someone who is trying to get under my skin?" I don't think it would be as difficult if the person were an actual fan of the other team. It's harder when they're not and just trying to antagonize and elicit a reaction.
It is not "just" a football game. It's a BYU football game. The way you stop that type of nonsense is to buy an extra ticket and invite your father in law to the next game and seat him next to this guy. I will just pretend he is rooting for Roseburg's football team. You all from Medford know how much I like that team.
Or you can go on your blogsite and tell him to come read some of the comments about him. However, my suggestion would be to have your dear hubby have a man to man talk about how it upsets his wife when he talks like that and how he would appreciate it if he would stop it.
If it continues, Well, I'm sure the next conversation would be clear enough for him to stop. Just have Matt explain that when you hurt my wife's feelings, you hurt me. If you continue to hurt her, I will hurt you.
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