I know that when I started this blog, I wrote about not going into details on the actual football games and instead writing about some of our adventures following the team as we celebrate our 30th anniversary. Well, after witnessing the aftermath of the Rice game, I feel compelled to at least write about a more serious topic: what this season has meant to me even with a 2-7 record.
As I have stated in the past, I have no horse in this race. My wife and I did not attend UTSA. We have no vested interest in the University outside of some minor financial donations and having friends that either attended or work for UTSA. But for whatever master plan there may be, we have decided to be true fans of UTSA Athletics.
After following the start and rise of the football program we decided to spend this special year together following the team to all of their games. And yes, even with the record being what it is, I can say without equivocation that we are truly enjoying the experience.
Yes, we could be (should be?) 7-2 instead of 2-7. And yes, we are disappointed with knowing that we will not be able to attend a bowl game this year. But you will see us at the Southern Mississippi game this coming Thursday night. We will still be there when the gates open for the parking lot in the forecasted forty degree weather. We will set up our tents for any of our friends that decide to drop by.
We will head up to Bowling Green Kentucky the following week. With our tent, flags and even George in tow and tailgate next to their stadium. Flying the UTSA colors with pride no matter what our record. And the weekend after Thanksgiving, we will do our best to put out a season finale food and drink spread that will make the SEC tailgating fans wonder what is happening in Conference USA. This spread will be at the home tailgate for the North Texas game. What may have been for the CUSA West title, but is now shaping up to be for the bottom of the division. But that does not deter my spirit or energy.
You see. The main thing to remember is that being a fan of a team does not mean that you support them when things are good. That is easy. It means that you are supporting them no matter what the outcome. You are there day in and day out. You yell, scream, and shout the cheers. You moan, sigh and even cry in defeat. But in the end, you are still a fan.
On the boards and twitter, we may gripe about this call or that. Question play calls and player selection. Quibble about the would of, could of and should of. But in the end, all we have is what is on the field. The 18-22 year-olds. The kids who are trying to enjoy what for most of them will be the best time of their athletic careers. What hopefully will be a learning experience for them that they can harness and drive towards a rewarding and spiritual life beyond sports.
For the coaches and staff, this is their livelihood. In today’s world of social media and instant gratification I think that we have lost sight of this fact. A questionable call or decision is quickly analyzed and judged by the multitude of backseat experts. We decry any decision that has a negative result and forgive any errors that may benefit our team. We call for instant firing of professionals based on minimal information and cry foul when our demands are not met with instant credence.
Lest we be judged in the same manner and with no chance of defense. Should a sales clerk be fired for not closing a sale with a customer? Should the marketing analyst be fired because he did not forecast his competitors next move with a client? Should the take-out window operator at Wendy’s be fired because she did not take off the pickles on your hamburger?
I know, silly examples, but these are all single digressions which have an impact on someone. And we as fans have to remember that we are not always privy to all of the information around a decision. Just as we do not know all of the details around decisions being made by our bosses at work, we also do not know all about the details of what is happening in a sports program.
As I have now entered into my fifties, I have had some time to look back at my past. The decisions I have made. The things that I have thought were important. The things that I now know are more important. Life is full of choices. Some good. Some bad. Some innocuous. And some just painful. But 30 years of marriage and over 50 years of life has taught me a few things:
- My wife is right and I am lost (I learned to just accept this one).
- When you get agitated the best thing to do is back off. Re-analyze with a fresh and relaxed mind.
- Don’t be quick to judge. Odds are, you will make an emotional decision and not a logical one.
- There is more to life than sports (I know, hard to believe, but it is true).
- When things look the worst, step back and think about what you have. You will be pleasantly surprised at how blessed you actually are.
- Keep your priorities straight. For me that is the three F’s: Family, Faith, Friends.
- Spread the wealth.
That last one can be tough at times. But if you take #5 and #7 and combine #6 you will find that there is a nice balance in there somewhere. It took me a number of years, but I finally managed to find a balance there that is spiritually and emotionally healthy.
So yes, the UTSA football season has been a disappointment from an overall win-loss perspective. Will that change how I view UTSA as an Institution? No. Will it change how I support the University? No. Will it alter my ongoing relationship with the AD’s office or with other fans? No. It was just a bad season. These things happen just as life happens. Good. Bad. Eh. I’ve learned to just accept the reality of these things and move forward.
Does this mean that I won’t complain or talk about potential changes? Of course not. But I will keep it in perspective. This is college sports. It’s not life or death. It not about the future of the universe. It’s about whether or not we go to a bowl game this year. Disappointed: Yes. Distraught: No. Linda and I will be there the rest of this year and we will re-up our seats for next year.
Birds-Up
david