Let me start off by saying that I am in no way a die-hard sports fan, but I deal with the struggle on a daily basis. Being a die-hard fan of a team that is hours away is like being hours away from the love of your life (mostly because you are miles away from the love of your life).
1. You have to drive hours upon hours to see them play
You purchase your tickets online then factor in how many times you're going to stop for gas. Next comes the planning of the trip. "What time should we leave?" "Don't forget the time change." "Did you withdrawal cash for parking?" The list really goes on and on when it comes to planning out the trip.
2. You have to deal with rival fans wherever you go
You get made fun of for your fandom because no one else in your area likes the same team. Bonus points if the team from your area is your favorite team's rival. Seeing them in their spirit jerseys makes you want to scream, but you can't say anything because you're sporting your team with pride.
3. When your team wins but theirs doesn't
You get crap constantly from your friends who cheer for the opposing teams. They blame it on "bad calls" and "luck," but you know good and well that talent is what got you the W.
4. When your team loses and theirs doesn't
You blame it all on "bad calls" and "luck," but you know good and well that your boys were having an off day, and [insert player here] kept taking shots that he knew he couldn't make.
5. Ordering all of your merchandise online
Sporting goods stores continuously let you down with their lack of merchandise. After all, your team is only four hours away, how dare they not have any merchandise? Regardless of having to pay $8 for shipping you order online anyway. What's an extra $100, right?
6. "Why don't you just move there?"
Although I am a passionate fan I am not made of money, and I can not afford to move to this town that I so deeply love. I will continue to drive four or more hours to cheer them on, as opposed to living in a cardboard box.
7. Quizzes that test your fandom
People never believe that you actually cheer for that team. There is absolutely no way that you can be so loyal from so far away, right? Wrong. People test your fandom on a weekly basis by asking who your favorite player is, their stats, etc. You pass with flying colors, brush them off your shoulder and strut away.
No matter what the haters say, how far we have to drive or how much money we spend on tickets... We love our team no matter what. Think twice before you question the guy walking across Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's campus in an Indiana University sweatshirt because he would do anything for his team.
