What's the story behind what teams you root for?

[MNIrishman]

1) Notre Dame because I went there.
2) Ohio State cuz I'm from there. Except as needed to benefit ND.
3) Other teams whose success benefits ND.
4) Everyone against Michigan.

 

[MNIrishman]

It's not the case that if you're born in Minnesota that you're automatically a Golden Gopher.

Used to be this way as far as I understand it. Too bad it's not. Of course, I understand the whole complex system of hockey rivalries messes with it, and I do appreciate MN hockey for sure.

 

[anarin]

When you live in a state that has no professional team and a bunch of dumb rednecks pulling for the college state team; you essentially are a free agent to choose your favorites. Being 7 years old I was very impressionable like all kids that age, so superstars or just big time athletes sucked me into their team.

Watching Dominique Wilkins throw dunks down from all over the place made me a hawks fan instantly.

Watching Barry Larkin, Chris Sabo, Eric Davis, the nasty boys and Jose Rijo sold me to the reds.

Walter Payton sold me on the bears, and Neal Anderson and Mike Singletary cemented it.

Watching Tony Rice and the Rocket turned me into an Irish fan. Being the only kid in my area pulling for them against WVU in the championship game literally locked me in forever.

 

[tadman95]

I have no ties, no family ties to Notre Dame. In Mayberry, Notre Dame is where the Hunchback lives. My family thinks I'm crazy but they seem to pay a little closer attention when Notre Dame is mentioned in conversation.

Grew up watching in the 60's, seemed like they played every big game. Holtz spoke at my senior sports banquet in high school, amazing man. Then he ended up at Notre Dame, that cemented me to Notre Dame for life.

I'm setting up a new production line at work. I meet with the employees every morning, we talk about Notre Dame every day. Even had one do research over the weekend, came in asking questions, trying to trip me up! It was great. I'll have them all converted soon. Lots of UNC fans there, I am talking trash like you wouldn't believe. It's gonna be great! I'm going to be one obnoxious SOB after that game. Or I may have to resign. LOL

 

[BobbyMac]

I have no ties, no family ties to Notre Dame. In Mayberry, Notre Dame is where the Hunchback lives. My family thinks I'm crazy but they seem to pay a little closer attention when Notre Dame is mentioned in conversation.

Grew up watching in the 60's, seemed like they played every big game. Holtz spoke at my senior sports banquet in high school, amazing man. Then he ended up at Notre Dame, that cemented me to Notre Dame for life.

I'm setting up a new production line at work. I meet with the employees every morning, we talk about Notre Dame every day. Even had one do research over the weekend, came in asking questions, trying to trip me up! It was great. I'll have them all converted soon. Lots of UNC fans there, I am talking trash like you wouldn't believe. It's gonna be great! I'm going to be one obnoxious SOB after that game. Or I may have to resign. LOL

Let me get this straight.... You grew up watching the Irish in the 60's....Coach Holtz spoke at your High School in 73-76 while he was the coach of the Wolfpack and you live in Mt. Airy now... Got it.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Ky Wildcats - growing up on a ridge in the middle of nowhere Ky where a tv was a priviledge afforded me the opportunity to listen to Cawood Ledford call the UK basketball games on the radio. Will always be a fan of the Big Blue Nation. We are a clannish folk anyway.

Western Ky Hilltoppers - my alma mater so it goes without saying

Alabama - live in Bama now and our son is a junior there so Roll Tide. Contrary to what some may think, however, I am not the die hard Bama fan that I may come off as. Nor do I live in T Town (outside the school it is pretty much a dump).

Cincinnati Reds - the rite of passage in the summer as a kid going to Riverfront watching the Big Red Machine in the 70's. Yes... I was spoiled as a child when it came to baseball.

New Orleans Saints - Watching Archie run his butt off when I was a kid made me a fan of him moreso than the team. Drew Brees in the recent past makes me cheer for them as well.

Cincinnati Bengals - It is what it is... closest NFL team to me as a kid so I guess by default.

Why on a ND board?

Never minded the Irish and was a fan in the 80's when it seemed that the Irish were one of only a few teams out there that could play with the Miamis' and Fla States'. Seeing the program start to rise back up to national prominence is a good thing. Plus, I like the other non-football talk on here. Can't do the non-stop rah rah football stuff from other fan sites. In SEC country it does get old hearing all the BS 24 hours a day.

 

[dshans]

Let me get this straight.... You grew up watching the Irish in the 60's....Coach Holtz spoke at your High School in 73-76 while he was the coach of the Wolfpack and you live in Mt. Airy now... Got it.

Otis was a huge Irish fan. Tadman worshipped Otis.

Ergo –

The rest is history ... or a Fractured Fairy Tale.

 

[Irish YJ]

Triple T I made an effort to like a Bammmmma fan based on your kind demeanor, and now you throw in KY.... sorry pal, just can't do it anymore

Ky Wildcats - growing up on a ridge in the middle of nowhere Ky where a tv was a priviledge afforded me the opportunity to listen to Cawood Ledford call the UK basketball games on the radio. Will always be a fan of the Big Blue Nation. We are a clannish folk anyway.

Western Ky Hilltoppers - my alma mater so it goes without saying

Alabama - live in Bama now and our son is a junior there so Roll Tide. Contrary to what some may think, however, I am not the die hard Bama fan that I may come off as. Nor do I live in T Town (outside the school it is pretty much a dump).

Cincinnati Reds - the rite of passage in the summer as a kid going to Riverfront watching the Big Red Machine in the 70's. Yes... I was spoiled as a child when it came to baseball.

New Orleans Saints - Watching Archie run his butt off when I was a kid made me a fan of him moreso than the team. Drew Brees in the recent past makes me cheer for them as well.

Cincinnati Bengals - It is what it is... closest NFL team to me as a kid so I guess by default.

Why on a ND board?

Never minded the Irish and was a fan in the 80's when it seemed that the Irish were one of only a few teams out there that could play with the Miamis' and Fla States'. Seeing the program start to rise back up to national prominence is a good thing. Plus, I like the other non-football talk on here. Can't do the non-stop rah rah football stuff from other fan sites. In SEC country it does get old hearing all the BS 24 hours a day.

 

[Irish YJ]

Finally, the first Coach Knight reference after a bunch of Indiana responders. I'm a big fan too. I spent a couple of years around the program in the mid 80's. Pretty wild times to witness first hand an not through the eyes of ESPN or Feinstein.

BK Rules!!

 

[NDohio]

Ky Wildcats - growing up on a ridge in the middle of nowhere Ky where a tv was a priviledge afforded me the opportunity to listen to Cawood Ledford call the UK basketball games on the radio. Will always be a fan of the Big Blue Nation. We are a clannish folk anyway.

Western Ky Hilltoppers - my alma mater so it goes without saying

Alabama - live in Bama now and our son is a junior there so Roll Tide. Contrary to what some may think, however, I am not the die hard Bama fan that I may come off as. Nor do I live in T Town (outside the school it is pretty much a dump).

Cincinnati Reds - the rite of passage in the summer as a kid going to Riverfront watching the Big Red Machine in the 70's. Yes... I was spoiled as a child when it came to baseball.

New Orleans Saints - Watching Archie run his butt off when I was a kid made me a fan of him moreso than the team. Drew Brees in the recent past makes me cheer for them as well.

Cincinnati Bengals - It is what it is... closest NFL team to me as a kid so I guess by default.

Why on a ND board?

Never minded the Irish and was a fan in the 80's when it seemed that the Irish were one of only a few teams out there that could play with the Miamis' and Fla States'. Seeing the program start to rise back up to national prominence is a good thing. Plus, I like the other non-football talk on here. Can't do the non-stop rah rah football stuff from other fan sites. In SEC country it does get old hearing all the BS 24 hours a day.

I thought Riverfront was the greatest baseball stadium on earth, at the time, I didn't know that there were 5 or 6 others just like it. Great memories of the Big Red Machine and spending time in that stadium.

 

[GoldenDomer]

I'm a ND fan because who the hell is a Rutgers fan...

Giants-Yankees-Rangers


That's the real North Jersey/New York teams combinations. Jets, Mets, Islanders can eat one.

 

[PatsandBostonfan1975]

Well, as an Angels fan, I cried after the '86 playoffs too...because of your BoSox! Man, what a stomach blow that homer was. One strike away. Damn...

Don Baylor !!! Boston fans forget how great that was because of the game 6 nightmare . We were punished severly for that moment for sure .

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Well, as an Angels fan, I cried after the '86 playoffs too...because of your BoSox! Man, what a stomach blow that homer was. One strike away. Damn...

Don Baylor !!! Boston fans forget how great that was because of the game 6 nightmare . We were punished severly for that moment for sure .

Dave Henderson off of Donnie Moore. Wow.

 

[GoldenDomer]

I am also one that would rather have a MLS team than NBA... You can have our Bobcats or Hornets or whatever. I will pull for the Knicks if they do well but really couldn't care less.

As far as EPL, I used to like Arsenal because my Brother-in-law moved here from London and they are his team. But I got fed up with them and picked a solid club that wasn't too bandwagon, so I went with Villa... now Arsenal has Ozil and wins the FA Cup...

 

[PatsandBostonfan1975]

Dave Henderson off of Donnie Moore. Wow.[/Q

Your right!!! Always know somewhere in New England a guy owes you a beer .

 

[BobbyMac]

I'm a ND fan because who the hell is a Rutgers fan...

Giants-Yankees-Rangers


That's the real North Jersey/New York teams combinations. Jets, Mets, Islanders can eat one.

How do you feel about the Devils? Marty B and Doc Emerick make them my back up team. Listening to Emerick is like listening to Vin Scully..... or watching Rembrandt paint.

 

[Wild Bill]

Grew up in the region. Love most Chicago teams and ND. Zorich helped seal the deal. He played like a savage and looked like a comic book character on the field.

Hawks are a close second to ND.

Sox fan b/c of Hawk. I could listen to him talk baseball all day.

Bears are okay. I've lost interest in the NFL. No reason in particular.

 

[BobbyMac]

Ky Wildcats - growing up on a ridge in the middle of nowhere Ky where a tv was a priviledge afforded me the opportunity to listen to Cawood Ledford call the UK basketball games on the radio. Will always be a fan of the Big Blue Nation. We are a clannish folk anyway.

Western Ky Hilltoppers - my alma mater so it goes without saying

Alabama - live in Bama now and our son is a junior there so Roll Tide. Contrary to what some may think, however, I am not the die hard Bama fan that I may come off as. Nor do I live in T Town (outside the school it is pretty much a dump).

Cincinnati Reds - the rite of passage in the summer as a kid going to Riverfront watching the Big Red Machine in the 70's. Yes... I was spoiled as a child when it came to baseball.

New Orleans Saints - Watching Archie run his butt off when I was a kid made me a fan of him moreso than the team. Drew Brees in the recent past makes me cheer for them as well.

Cincinnati Bengals - It is what it is... closest NFL team to me as a kid so I guess by default.

Why on a ND board?

Never minded the Irish and was a fan in the 80's when it seemed that the Irish were one of only a few teams out there that could play with the Miamis' and Fla States'. Seeing the program start to rise back up to national prominence is a good thing. Plus, I like the other non-football talk on here. Can't do the non-stop rah rah football stuff from other fan sites. In SEC country it does get old hearing all the BS 24 hours a day.

Bama and UK basketball....and anything SEC besides LSU baseball for that matter would make you most likely to not get a free beer if sitting next to me at your local pub......

BUT you're a Hilltopper like most in my family. My Dad had a chance to play for Diddle back in the 50's but passed on college to take a dream job in a Gary, IN steel mill. (my how things have changed) My Cousin Carlisle Towery was an All American at Western back in the 30's. Oddly enough, UK's Frank Ramsey is my cousin too but ya gotta draw the line somewhere!

.

 

[BobbyMac]

Grew up in the region. Love most Chicago teams and ND. Zorich helped seal the deal. He played like a savage and looked like a comic book character on the field.

Hawks are a close second to ND.

Sox fan b/c of Hawk. I could listen to him talk baseball all day.

Bears are okay. I've lost interest in the NFL. No reason in particular.

Lake, Porter or LaPorte?

 

[zelezo vlk]

Chicago Bears: Team history with my hometown. My family is full of Bears fans. From IL, had to move to Indy, it sucks to miss Bears games so I go to a bar. First team I ever liked, though I didn't understand anything about football at 6.

Notre Dame: Family history. Been going to games since I was 8. What's not to love?

Chicago Bulls: Growing up in IL in the 90s, everyone I knew loved Jordan and I remember my parents making me watch the games. I really just love good basketball since that's what everyone played when I was growing up. Yeah man, Bulls.

St Louis Cards: I've been to more Cards games than almost anything else other than ND games, I think. Again, a regional thing. Closer to STL than Chicago, but also family allegiance. Not that I despise the Cubs or anything. I mean, how could I? They're the Cubs, they can't help themselves.

My major allegiances although I never follow the Cards closely enough.

 

[Wild Bill]

Lake, Porter or LaPorte?

Grew up in Lake County, close to the county line. Most of my family has moved or they're planning a move to Porter county. If I didn't work in the city, I'd probably join them. Buy a ton of land south of 30 in Valpo and build a compound. Classic region story, huh?

 

[BobbyMac]

Grew up in Lake County, close to the county line. Most of my family has moved or they're planning a move to Porter county. If I didn't work in the city, I'd probably join them. Buy a ton of land south of 30 in Valpo and build a compound. Classic region story, huh?

Yeah... the south of 30 game is played. All the good rolling land going out to Boone Grove is snapped up. I'm gonna either do a place in Jackson Twp between Valpo, Chesterton and City or go all in with a place out in Galena Twp between City and South Bend... just west of New Carlisle. The closer to the Dome the better as my daughter will be graduating there in '22. ;-)

 

[BobbyMac]

Chicago Bears: Team history with my hometown. My family is full of Bears fans. From IL, had to move to Indy, it sucks to miss Bears games so I go to a bar. First team I ever liked, though I didn't understand anything about football at 6.

Notre Dame: Family history. Been going to games since I was 8. What's not to love?

Chicago Bulls: Growing up in IL in the 90s, everyone I knew loved Jordan and I remember my parents making me watch the games. I really just love good basketball since that's what everyone played when I was growing up. Yeah man, Bulls.

St Louis Cards: I've been to more Cards games than almost anything else other than ND games, I think. Again, a regional thing. Closer to STL than Chicago, but also family allegiance. Not that I despise the Cubs or anything. I mean, how could I? They're the Cubs, they can't help themselves.

My major allegiances although I never follow the Cards closely enough.

You may wanna check a map... you are closer to the Reds, Sox and Cubs but can't blame you for being a Cards fan.... probably the best fan base in the country besides Irish football.

Being a Bears fan in Indy isn't so bad. The whole state of Indiana was Bear country (save for the far SE part of the state that no one cares about by Cincy) until the Colts slithered into town in the dark of night like a snake in their Mayflower trucks. I love being from the Region where the Colts can gain no traction.

 

[zelezo vlk]

You may wanna check a map... you are closer to the Reds, Sox and Cubs but can't blame you for being a Cards fan.... probably the best fan base in the country besides Irish football.

Being a Bears fan in Indy isn't so bad. The whole state of Indiana was Bear country (save for the far SE part of the state that no one cares about by Cincy) until the Colts slithered into town in the dark of night like a snake in their Mayflower trucks. I love being from the Region where the Colts can gain no traction.

Now? Yes I'm closer to them, but my hometown is closer to the Cards. I actually moved to Indy last September.

I always wondered football affiliation here pre-Colts.

 

[Emcee77]

Interesting stuff.

Most people seem to have some family or geographic reason for rooting for a team.

I am always interested in the people who just pick a team to start rooting for for some arbitrary reason. One of my friends is a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan ONLY because as a kid he thought their helmets looked cool. He didn't grow up in Philly or have any family with ties to the region or anything. I could never just pick a team to root for, even though no one around me was rooting for that team. How can you really care, you know? It's the shared experience of following a team along with other people that makes you care, or at least that's how it's been with me. I always kind of envied/have been suspicious of people who just start rooting for a team.

 

[NDohio]

Interesting stuff.

Most people seem to have some family or geographic reason for rooting for a team.

I am always interested in the people who just pick a team to start rooting for for some arbitrary reason. One of my friends is a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan ONLY because as a kid he thought their helmets looked cool. He didn't grow up in Philly or have any family with ties to the region or anything. I could never just pick a team to root for, even though no one around me was rooting for that team. How can you really care, you know? It's the shared experience of following a team along with other people that makes you care, or at least that's how it's been with me. I always kind of envied/have been suspicious of people who just start rooting for a team.

Being one of these types, what I find interesting about it is the era/location in which you grew up and how you would start liking teams. I grew up in the late 60's/70's in a really small town. All the major cities that had sports teams were 1.5 + hours away - they may as well have been days away. No cable(ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS), no internet, and people didn't travel like they do now. The only traveling we did for sports was to see the Reds because my mom/dad were huge baseball fans and they knew how special the Big Red Machine was. Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News was where 90% of our sports news came from. You watched a game of the week on the major networks and you didn't have the option of surfing the channels to find the game you wanted to watch - you watched what the networks gave you. The world is a very different place today and picking a favorite team, if you do not live near a major city, is a completely different process now.

As for the latter bolded, where I grew up there wasn't one city that a majority of the people followed that city's teams - college or pro.

 

[rtrn2glory]

NFL - Bears b/c i liked teddy bears when i was younger, yea that's pretty stupid

Notre Dame - cousin played on 88 national title team

NBA - not much of an NBA fan but i followed jordan religiously when he was with the Bulls. now i guess i root for the cavs

MLB - Red Sox my uncle brought me red sox gear when he was stationed in boston in the military and i just liked em ever since.

 

[BobbyMac]

Now? Yes I'm closer to them, but my hometown is closer to the Cards. I actually moved to Indy last September.

I always wondered football affiliation here pre-Colts.

You must of grown up down I-70 closer to Terrible Hole.

Back b4 Platteville and Kankakee, the Bears had training camp at Saint Joe College in Rensselaer Indiana. Long before the Colts, the bangles, the Titans, and before the Cardinals moved out of Chicago, the Bears were the team of Indiana and Illinois

 

[T Town Tommy]

Being one of these types, what I find interesting about it is the era/location in which you grew up and how you would start liking teams. I grew up in the late 60's/70's in a really small town. All the major cities that had sports teams were 1.5 + hours away - they may as well have been days away. No cable(ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS), no internet, and people didn't travel like they do now. The only traveling we did for sports was to see the Reds because my mom/dad were huge baseball fans and they knew how special the Big Red Machine was. Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News was where 90% of our sports news came from. You watched a game of the week on the major networks and you didn't have the option of surfing the channels to find the game you wanted to watch - you watched what the networks gave you. The world is a very different place today and picking a favorite team, if you do not live near a major city, is a completely different process now.

As for the latter bolded, where I grew up there wasn't one city that a majority of the people followed that city's teams - college or pro.

Getting my Sporting News in the mail to check other players stats, read about the other teams, etc. was the greatest feeling. I would run to the mailbox to retrieve it. Great times.

 

[ACamp1900]

All my teams: I'm loyal, and fucking stupid. That pretty much covers it.