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Bulldog fan base lacking loyalty, passion and honor

Letter to the Editor

Published: Friday, February 12, 2010

Updated: Friday, February 12, 2010 13:02

Four years of sweat and tears as a student I put into rooting for my Gonzaga Bulldogs in the McCarthey Center. Four years of being that guy who cared too much.


Did I cry after attending a loss that I felt I left as much out on the court as Adam Morrison or Austin Daye? Perhaps.


Do I still cry after watching games online since I am now out of state? Maybe … but this is neither here nor there. As a distinguished alumnus finding myself still bleeding blue, white and red  (and on occasion black), more than the students who still actually have the privilege and honor of seeing one of the greatest programs of the last decade create their masterpiece of art that we call the game of basketball.


Gonzaga basketball is based on a foundation of loyalty, honor and hard work. Now Gonzaga is represented by fans that feel entitled and who have no sense of loyalty or what it means to be an actual Gonzaga Bulldog.


 These "fans," as they would call themselves have no sense of respect, tradition or history that is the foundation of Gonzaga basketball.


My roommate and resident coward Thomas Wilson would call himself a Gonzaga fan, but you would also see him cheering for the rival Huskies or picking us to lose in his bracket.
I know, however, that this is no isolated incident and these cowardly tendencies have plagued much of the Gonzaga student body.


When you come to Gonzaga you are pledging your heart and soul to this university. To openly root for the schools arch nemesis or to pick us in any way not to win the national championship every year in any fashion is both chicken- hearted and treasonous.
Our student body needs to embrace Gonzaga as an end all and be all. The students however, ride that bandwagon to class, jumping on and off at will and still continue to walk around like the turncoats they are.


 The true problem here is that this is the type of student that fills the seats of the McCarthey Center and week after week fails to show up. They have no sense of loyalty. This comes across in how they act before during and after the games as well.


Since camping out for seats became a trendy thing to do, at times I feel this a bigger deal than the game itself. Honestly though, you're going to probably get cut by some pretty cool baseball player­­— plus those goons in GSBA claim like, three rows. Can someone point out to me where in Gonzaga's constitution they get this right? And of course if you aren't buddy buddy with the Kennel Club, then head straight to the fourth row, dude.


These students worry more about being on TV or saving a seat for their friend instead of the game at hand. Just because the tickets are free does not mean that the students should think they are in anyway entitled to them (see GSBA point).


It is a privilege and an honor to let alone watch this team play, but to actually see them live and in person is well … let's just say the next best thing is walking up to the pearly gates.
While this letter will not fix these problems alone, I feel that something needs to get the ball moving. Hopefully one noble student will take up the charge and be the change that this University needs. Whether that be throwing red paint on anyone wearing University of Washington colors so be it.


The "We are Gonzaga," slogan is an empty marketing ploy unless students stand up to these cowards and say NOT TODAY. WE NEVER GRADUATE. WE ARE ALWAYS GONZAGA BULLDOGS ARF ARF ARF (DMX voice). n




 

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4 comments

Anonymous
Fri Mar 12 2010 23:33
Well, you are entitled to your opinion ofcourse, but fans are fans. I'm sorry to say that not everyone is as passionate about the team as you are, but the Bulldogs need every single one of us, despite our varying levels of intensity.

Just because you pick Gonzaga to lose in your bracket, does not mean you are picking Gonzaga to lose in your heart! I know Gonzaga isn't as good as say, Kansas, but that does NOT mean I will be rooting for them to lose given the chance they get to play them in a tournament. If you believe that mere common sense is cowardice, then you have that right, but that simply is not so.

I do agree with you that bandwagon fans should rethink their commitment to the team, but until Gonzaga starts losing consistently during the season, we won't know for sure who those fans are, and I don't think you should be making assumptions as readily has you have.

Maybe I am just an ignorant sophomore at Gonzaga University, but that is just what I think.

Anonymous
Sat Feb 13 2010 03:42
Jack: you embody the GU spirit to the fullest and you speak the truth. Give this man a paid weekly column.
KingDini
Fri Feb 12 2010 19:06
This article scares me because it is true. We have seen such a gross misuse of our tuition dollars go to line the pockets of the GSBA elites and their cronies, only for them to take that which the true fan really deserves our seat at the table. Nice Work John.
MyDadisnotWeird
Fri Feb 12 2010 18:41
Knowing the author of this piece to be the genuine article, I cannot help but stand and applaud. I know that it pains Mr. Reid to be off studying law at that poser Marquette University, spending many hours keeping up on his beloved Zags, only to watch the "newly entitled" claim to carry on the tradition. Do not worry, Jack. Cream always rises.






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