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Good Will Hunter

How not to be an opposing fan

By Ryan Greene
December 28, 2006

Zac Hunter chips in his two cents while bloggin' from Boston.

You knew Saturday’s game against Boston College was a big one. The Fieldhouse was packed. It was loud. The Boston College players stopped and watched the video board tribute to one of college basketball’s elite. And my father, Larry, was in big game form.

He may not bring it strong every game, but much like the ‘Hawks, Papa Hunter brings it when he needs to. He had it going early when he screamed the name of every player after they were introduced. His timing was so precise that it acted as a starter’s pistol for the students throwing confetti. My friends and I all had big laughs when he screamed the second “New York” during Russell Robinson’s introduction and even bigger laughs as he jawed at officials from 30 rows up in section 20. He was exactly what you want a home fan to be.

We also had the opposite of what you want a road fan to be sitting in the Kennedy seat. That’s back and to the left of me in case you didn’t know. The Boston College Superfan did not obey road fan etiquette. You are supposed to keep to yourself and cheer when your team does well. You do not taunt the home fans, especially when you, the Superfan, are one of a couple dozen gold and maroon needles in a giant, blue haystack. And you especially don’t run your mouth when the best your team can muster is a one- or two-point lead in the first half.

There is great satisfaction derived from quietly walking out of an opponent’s barn when your team pulled out the win. And keeping the smack talk to a minimum also protects you when you lose. Friendly banter is one thing, but treating an opponent’s arena like your living room is quite another. Always leave yourself and out and the ability to walk out with your head held high.

Sadly, the Superfan did not follow any of these rules. After the Eagles’ first basket the Fieldhouse was a little quiet. It generally happens after the opposing team scores. And out comes the loudest “yeah baby” you’ve heard since the last Austin Powers movie. Another one pops out after the Eagles’ second score. At this pace it’s going to be a very long afternoon for the Section 20 Crew, because even a bad team can put up 50 points. Boston College only had four.

If those were the worst of Superfan’s transgressions, he would have been alright. However, he was just getting warmed up. Boston College’s human eraser, Sean Williams, blocked a shot in the lane which spawned this gem: “Get that $%&@ outta here.” I’m pretty sure half of the people in the Fieldhouse heard that one. Most of us rolled our eyes, and gave him the same half head turns used to hush someone talking during a movie.

Superfan’s final shot at glory came when the Eagles tied the game at 16. As Kansas called a timeout to regroup, Superfan came out guns blazing, “Yeah baby! We’re going to mop the Fieldhouse floor with the Jayhawks.”

As the ‘Hawks walked back on the court Superfan’s guns ran out of bullets. And the Section 20 Crew went to work. Every basket the ‘Hawks poured in resulted in the not so subtle full turn and smirk. The full turn, teamed up with “yeah baby” and an occasional “BC SUCKS,” formed an unbeatable team. Superfan was humbled. His girl, head down, left at halftime never to return. A 24-4 run to end the half was the relationship killer.

The Eagles did some good things in the first half, and Superfan bought as much of the fool’s gold as he possibly could. But being a true super fan, he stuck it out to the bitter, nasty end. His glare was cold and empty. His arms were crossed. His yellow Boston College t-shirt was hidden behind his unbiased, black fleece, and when the clock hit zeros he was gone. He broke all the rules for opposing fans and ‘Hawk fans made him pay the piper.

Everyone, including Jayhawk fans, can learn a valuable lesson from Superfan. As you make the trek to Ames, Iowa, or Manhattan, be humble. Have fun with the opposing fans, but keep your mouth in check. You never know when a tie game will turn into a rout. And you never know when your lady is going to leave you alone with the Section 20 Crew.