Football Afternoons
I have four University degrees: Accounting, Law, Counseling, and Professional Writing. All are from the University of Southern California. So, it should not come as a surprise that on many Fall Saturday afternoons I spend three or four hours rooting for USC during their football game. Sometimes I shout to the TV screen, “Fight on!” (That’s the official fight song of USC and a battle cry for its fans).
I will confess, however, that for all my enthusiasm, I am a fair-weather fan. Last year USC’s record was 4 wins and 8 losses. Part way through the season, I lost interest. During losing seasons like that I wonder if the thrill of winning is worth the temporary despair of losing.
Part of USC’s problem is their previous success. Their football loving alumni have high expectations that every year they will win every game and go on to the national championship. Unrealistic? Sure. But better than rooting for the Chicago Cubs, a team that suffered a drought of many years without ever making the playoffs.
Another problem for USC is that their success has been limited by their commitment to only hiring USC alums as their head coach. A few seasons ago they fired their head coach after he started the season with several losses. They then elevated an assistant coach Ed Orgeron (who was not an alum). The team was extremely successful that year, and USC played in the Rose Bowl. But the next season Ed was replaced by a head coach with an affiliation to USC. Bad call. Ed left to coach the LSU team that went on to win the national championship. Grumble mumble.
Since, as of today, USC has a 7-1 record and is ranked 9th in the country, I’m reasonably happy (although I still am unhappy about the single loss).
This past Saturday, as USC rumbled to a high scoring victory, I realized that for me, and perhaps others, it’s not enough for USC to merely win their games. I want them to prevail by a score of at least 50-0 every time and have at least two or three players vying to be an All American.
I also root for the Los Angeles Rams, who won the Super Bowl last season. I attended their game yesterday, in which they lost rather dismally to their archrival, the San Francisco 49ers. The Rams now have a record of 3 wins and 4 losses. Ho hum.
I think this season I’ll forget the Rams and pay more attention to USC. As I said, I’m a fair-weather fan.
Fight on!
Alan