This week in class we discussed what it means to be a sports fan and how we perceived that way we all fit into the respective categories. While I wrote a blog awhile back about how “a” sports teams becomes “your” sports team, I didn’t truly stop to consider some of the key driving points behind some of my “fandom.” However, for me personally, understanding my fandom and overall love of sports runs a bit deeper I think.
Eustress Desire: stress that is deemed healthful or
giving one the feeling of fulfillment
giving one the feeling of fulfillment
I LOVE the blood-pumping adrenaline that comes from watching sports, playing sports, or ANYTHING to do with sports! It’s addictive (and I may or may not have a problem). I have always been good under pressure and enjoyed the high-emotion and high-stakes that seem to be the “feel” that accompanies athletics. When Dr. Watkins talked about the eustress desires concept I really had an “ah-ha” moment because I’d never been able to give a title to the way I felt. There’s something about truly feeling the pressure, calming yourself to the point of pure clarity, and then kicking into gear to solve problems that gives me a wonderful, successful feeling.
To be honest, I think that part of the reason I want to go into sports management and public relations is because I do my best work when I’m feeding off of stressful situations. It’s a weird concept, I know; but I love it.
Another part about our class discussion that really got me was social identification theory. The theory is most importantly concerned with how we identify with a group or an organization and that hit close to home. I was a three-season athlete all through high school as were my best friends. We spent four years moving from softball season to basketball season to lacrosse season; back to back to back. That was my “identifying group” and how people knew me. When I got to college I made the sad realization that intramurals were not as competitive as I once thought and I was now out of that team atmosphere. That social identification concept is what drove me to go out for the clubs and organizations I did because I wanted that belonging feeling and that eustress desire back.