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Show Opinion WSUSIGNPOST.COM Go, fight, support: By CHARLES BOWKER sports editor As an invested sports writer and viewer, I have come to the conclusion that being a fan is not what it used to be. Take, for example, the Weber State athletics program. As many people know and can understand, it’s hard to be a fan of sports at WSU. Going to games, particularly football games, is disheartening when you look over at the student section and see it nearly empty. Sure, I get it. Many choose not to attend games because they haven’t won games like other schools in the state. Winning does increase a fan base, but it should be more than that. Heck, Utah State University manage to fill their stadium with fans and even on the road bring a large fan contingency. What’s wrong with Weber? Now, before you jump down my throat, my frustrations with fans also extends to the professional level of sports. On Monday Nov. 30, the Golden State Warriors traveled to Utah to face the Jazz in a game. As both a fan and part-time worker of the Jazz, it was one of the more frustrating games I have ever attended. Why, you ask? The fans. Of those in attendance, I would say about 50 percent present were fans of Golden State. I would bet money that of the 50 percent, two-thirds started their fandom in May of this year as they won the NBA Championship. Fans WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 5 Being a sports fan these days is different like that are called band wagoners and are more irritating than nails on a chalkboard. Typically, band wagoners act like their “beloved” team can do no wrong, and if they beat your team, which was the case in Monday’s game, they are the voices that taunt and ridicule louder than any sane fan. There is an inverse effect when the band wagoners find themselves on the losing side of it all. Like rats off a sinking ship, they run for a safer haven, another winner to cheer for and leave their old flavor of the month in the dust. A prime example of this can be found in the Seattle Seahawks fans who aren’t cheering for their team in the current NFL season. We need to clean up our acts. As my grandfather would say: it’s time to crap or get off the pot. Show some loyalty and stick through the hard times as a fan, not just when it’s convenient. Do that and I am willing to bet that attending games will be fun, no matter the final score. In all honesty, athletic programs both collegiate and professional only exist because of their fans. It’s because of fans that baseball is still a well-watched and attended sport. It’s why soccer has been able to grow and gain a legitimate foothold as a major sport in the United States. And as a student body of approximately 29,000 students that pay on average $2,500 a semester to attend this institution, it’s something we should show when our teams go out and represent us in their sport. And you want to know something cool? You actually have a lot of fun being true to your school. Follow Charles on Twitter @cbowkstar_91 PHOTO BY EMILY FERGUSON | THE SIGNPOST Weber State University football fans cheer during fall’s homecoming game. Homecoming games tend to have a larger fan base than any other games of the season. NOW HIRING ADULT/ELDER CAREGIVERS 18 years or older CALL (801) -733-4200 OR Email resume to: jobs.hcaofutah@gmail.com on the job training OR Apply in person at: 1-year experience preferred 7833 Highland Drive Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121 CNA not required Positions available in Utah, Salt $10/hr & up (DOE) Lake and Davis counties flexible schedules 1155 36 th Street, Ogden UT |