WRAL Sports Fan

By jgunn
Posted Dec 8, 5:18 p.m.

Rank: Sports Legend
Posts: 19467
Joined: Dec, 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC

RE: Answer to why people hate UNC-CHeat

Yes, precisely those kinds of fans. 

- Posted by Wolfpackalypse Now

Actually, I think I should clarify who I consider to be a "bandwagon fan." I don't necessarily think a person needs to be an alumnus of a particular school to be a "real" fan of its sports teams. I think a true fan is someone who takes a real interest in the sport, the team, the school, etc., and has some sort of personal tie to the institution, even if that tie is just a strong, genuine passion and interest.

To me, a "bandwagon fan" is someone who purports to be a fan of a certain college or pro team, simply to "fit in" with that group of fans because they consider it to be "cool" or "fashionable," but they don't have a genuine interest or passion for the team. Bandwagon fans are the people who like to talk trash after a big win, but can't even name the starting lineup (actually, that's kind of tough for football sometimes, but you know what I mean) of the team they "root" for. Bandwagon fans just like sporting the gear of a certain team and joining in the revelry after a win; it's about themselves, not the game or team.

For example, I could not possibly care less about hockey. I've had season tickets to NCSU men's basketball my entire life, from Reynolds to the RBC (now PNC) Center, and ever since the bball team moved into the new arena, I've been to ONE hockey game. I don't even know how many players "start" in a hockey game, much less could I name the starters for the Hurricanes. However, if back when the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup I all of a sudden purchased a bunch of Hurricanes gear and went around hooting and hollering about "I knew we were going to do it!" and talking trash to fans of other hockey teams, I would have been a bandwagon Hurricanes fan.

Still, just because I don't care for "bandwagon fans" doesn't mean there's anything wrong with being one. Just my opinion... 

- Posted by Wolfpackalypse Now

Good points and fair assessment IMHO. I think Carolina has a lot of "bandwagon" fans because it's a well-known "brand", thanks to players like MJ, a coach like Dean Smith, who was the winningest D-1 coach for many years, and because of the success they've had in basketball. It's a natural process. If State has a terrific year in basketball, I'd expect their fan base to grow as well. When a team wins a lot, it does draw in the "bandwagoners", but also criticism. Duke is a very polarizing team - a lot of people love them, but a lot of people "hate" them simply because most years they're a very good basketball team capable of winning another NC. It's human nature. 

- Posted by jgunn

Personally, I became a UNC fan in 1969 because the local radio station was carrying the games. Remember Woody calling his first game. The only time I got to listen to the Pack was if they played UNC. Was a Tar Heel fan ever since. Wear the gear win or lose, come on here win or lose. So does Gunny, Nutz, and several others. My wife did not graduate from UNC but probably one of the biggest fans you can be, more than any graduates. I know one lady who did not graduate there but she gives "generously" because she has fallen in love with the university. You have to appreciate people like that. I know two one that went to UNC and the other to NCSU, that donate to Duke and really like Duke because their kids went on athletic schollys. So I'm not sure where some of the imbeciles like LovesaThorpedo get "bandwagoner" since a "bandwagoner" only shows up when the sun shines the brightest on a team, or they are just following the herd, not their heart. Considering the millions of items UNC sells to people who did not go to UNC, they seem to have cultivated a huge fanbase. But give it to Duke, a much smaller school, with way fewer graduates. Going by sales of gear Duke has a tremendous following. So are all those Duke fans who could not afford the $60k/yr. to go to Duke "bandwagoners"? Some are, but most are not, just like at UNC.

Oh, many of the farmers down at home who never went to any college, like NCSU because they get continuing ed on agricultural and animal husbandry issues from them. I'd never call them "bandwagoners" unless I wanted to get a new set of teeth.  

- Posted by Dr. Feelgood

RE: Answer to why people hate UNC-CHeat

RE: Answer to why people hate UNC-CHeat

RE: Answer to why people hate UNC-CHeat

Yes, precisely those kinds of fans. 

- Posted by Wolfpackalypse Now

Actually, I think I should clarify who I consider to be a "bandwagon fan." I don't necessarily think a person needs to be an alumnus of a particular school to be a "real" fan of its sports teams. I think a true fan is someone who takes a real interest in the sport, the team, the school, etc., and has some sort of personal tie to the institution, even if that tie is just a strong, genuine passion and interest.

To me, a "bandwagon fan" is someone who purports to be a fan of a certain college or pro team, simply to "fit in" with that group of fans because they consider it to be "cool" or "fashionable," but they don't have a genuine interest or passion for the team. Bandwagon fans are the people who like to talk trash after a big win, but can't even name the starting lineup (actually, that's kind of tough for football sometimes, but you know what I mean) of the team they "root" for. Bandwagon fans just like sporting the gear of a certain team and joining in the revelry after a win; it's about themselves, not the game or team.

For example, I could not possibly care less about hockey. I've had season tickets to NCSU men's basketball my entire life, from Reynolds to the RBC (now PNC) Center, and ever since the bball team moved into the new arena, I've been to ONE hockey game. I don't even know how many players "start" in a hockey game, much less could I name the starters for the Hurricanes. However, if back when the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup I all of a sudden purchased a bunch of Hurricanes gear and went around hooting and hollering about "I knew we were going to do it!" and talking trash to fans of other hockey teams, I would have been a bandwagon Hurricanes fan.

Still, just because I don't care for "bandwagon fans" doesn't mean there's anything wrong with being one. Just my opinion... 

- Posted by Wolfpackalypse Now

Good points and fair assessment IMHO. I think Carolina has a lot of "bandwagon" fans because it's a well-known "brand", thanks to players like MJ, a coach like Dean Smith, who was the winningest D-1 coach for many years, and because of the success they've had in basketball. It's a natural process. If State has a terrific year in basketball, I'd expect their fan base to grow as well. When a team wins a lot, it does draw in the "bandwagoners", but also criticism. Duke is a very polarizing team - a lot of people love them, but a lot of people "hate" them simply because most years they're a very good basketball team capable of winning another NC. It's human nature. 

- Posted by jgunn

Personally, I became a UNC fan in 1969 because the local radio station was carrying the games. Remember Woody calling his first game. The only time I got to listen to the Pack was if they played UNC. Was a Tar Heel fan ever since. Wear the gear win or lose, come on here win or lose. So does Gunny, Nutz, and several others. My wife did not graduate from UNC but probably one of the biggest fans you can be, more than any graduates. I know one lady who did not graduate there but she gives "generously" because she has fallen in love with the university. You have to appreciate people like that. I know two one that went to UNC and the other to NCSU, that donate to Duke and really like Duke because their kids went on athletic schollys. So I'm not sure where some of the imbeciles like LovesaThorpedo get "bandwagoner" since a "bandwagoner" only shows up when the sun shines the brightest on a team, or they are just following the herd, not their heart. Considering the millions of items UNC sells to people who did not go to UNC, they seem to have cultivated a huge fanbase. But give it to Duke, a much smaller school, with way fewer graduates. Going by sales of gear Duke has a tremendous following. So are all those Duke fans who could not afford the $60k/yr. to go to Duke "bandwagoners"? Some are, but most are not, just like at UNC.

Oh, many of the farmers down at home who never went to any college, like NCSU because they get continuing ed on agricultural and animal husbandry issues from them. I'd never call them "bandwagoners" unless I wanted to get a new set of teeth.  

- Posted by Dr. Feelgood

By duane11
Posted Dec 9, 6:08 a.m.

Rank: Sports Legend
Posts: 4213
Joined: Nov, 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC

RE: Answer to why people hate UNC-CHeat

...and the answer is that they became that way when they read: "We regret to inform you that you have not been accepted to the university of North Carolina. Please try one of the university of North Carolina schools that will let anybody in such as NC State, ECU, NC Central, ...." 

- Posted by Pack pride lead investigator

By Dr. Feelgood
Posted Dec 9, 8:18 a.m.

Rank: Sports Legend
Posts: 1054
Joined: Aug, 2012
Location: Ocracoke, NC

RE: Answer to why people hate UNC-CHeat

Actually, I think I should clarify who I consider to be a "bandwagon fan." I don't necessarily think a person needs to be an alumnus of a particular school to be a "real" fan of its sports teams. I think a true fan is someone who takes a real interest in the sport, the team, the school, etc., and has some sort of personal tie to the institution, even if that tie is just a strong, genuine passion and interest.

To me, a "bandwagon fan" is someone who purports to be a fan of a certain college or pro team, simply to "fit in" with that group of fans because they consider it to be "cool" or "fashionable," but they don't have a genuine interest or passion for the team. Bandwagon fans are the people who like to talk trash after a big win, but can't even name the starting lineup (actually, that's kind of tough for football sometimes, but you know what I mean) of the team they "root" for. Bandwagon fans just like sporting the gear of a certain team and joining in the revelry after a win; it's about themselves, not the game or team.

For example, I could not possibly care less about hockey. I've had season tickets to NCSU men's basketball my entire life, from Reynolds to the RBC (now PNC) Center, and ever since the bball team moved into the new arena, I've been to ONE hockey game. I don't even know how many players "start" in a hockey game, much less could I name the starters for the Hurricanes. However, if back when the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup I all of a sudden purchased a bunch of Hurricanes gear and went around hooting and hollering about "I knew we were going to do it!" and talking trash to fans of other hockey teams, I would have been a bandwagon Hurricanes fan.

Still, just because I don't care for "bandwagon fans" doesn't mean there's anything wrong with being one. Just my opinion... 

- Posted by Wolfpackalypse Now

Good points and fair assessment IMHO. I think Carolina has a lot of "bandwagon" fans because it's a well-known "brand", thanks to players like MJ, a coach like Dean Smith, who was the winningest D-1 coach for many years, and because of the success they've had in basketball. It's a natural process. If State has a terrific year in basketball, I'd expect their fan base to grow as well. When a team wins a lot, it does draw in the "bandwagoners", but also criticism. Duke is a very polarizing team - a lot of people love them, but a lot of people "hate" them simply because most years they're a very good basketball team capable of winning another NC. It's human nature. 

- Posted by jgunn

Personally, I became a UNC fan in 1969 because the local radio station was carrying the games. Remember Woody calling his first game. The only time I got to listen to the Pack was if they played UNC. Was a Tar Heel fan ever since. Wear the gear win or lose, come on here win or lose. So does Gunny, Nutz, and several others. My wife did not graduate from UNC but probably one of the biggest fans you can be, more than any graduates. I know one lady who did not graduate there but she gives "generously" because she has fallen in love with the university. You have to appreciate people like that. I know two one that went to UNC and the other to NCSU, that donate to Duke and really like Duke because their kids went on athletic schollys. So I'm not sure where some of the imbeciles like LovesaThorpedo get "bandwagoner" since a "bandwagoner" only shows up when the sun shines the brightest on a team, or they are just following the herd, not their heart. Considering the millions of items UNC sells to people who did not go to UNC, they seem to have cultivated a huge fanbase. But give it to Duke, a much smaller school, with way fewer graduates. Going by sales of gear Duke has a tremendous following. So are all those Duke fans who could not afford the $60k/yr. to go to Duke "bandwagoners"? Some are, but most are not, just like at UNC.

Oh, many of the farmers down at home who never went to any college, like NCSU because they get continuing ed on agricultural and animal husbandry issues from them. I'd never call them "bandwagoners" unless I wanted to get a new set of teeth.  

- Posted by Dr. Feelgood

Sorry, but your wife and her friend have to select another team. According. To the UNCheat fans on here unless you attended the University, you may not root for them

Sucks for them 

- Posted by randythorntonv3

By TB in NC
Posted Dec 9, 8:32 a.m.

Rank: Sports Legend
Posts: 1779
Joined: Sep, 2009
Location: Wake Forest, NC

RE: Answer to why people hate UNC-CHeat