IU sports need fair-weather fans

For college sports fans, the summer heat can be a prospect of dread, lacking action with the promise that someday soon university athletics teams across the nation will return to play. Luckily, the long humid summer months are coming to a close. Soon, the undisturbed playing fields will be trampled by cleats, and the boring summer will be replaced by the tailgating and excitement of football season. \nAnd from the sounds of the players at Big Ten Media Day, IU’s men in pads are ready to play ball.\nThe return of Hoosier athletics will be a relief for all of us sports fans at IU. Even those not interested in the Big Ten’s fierce athletic play will notice a difference in the environment once players hit the gridiron. Droves of students and alumni will fill the fields of the University every Saturday morning to tailgate and pack the bars on Kirkwood every Saturday night, discussing the team’s chances and hoping for a bowl game – at least for a while.\nThese early-season expectations and aspirations for the return of a highly respected IU athletics program – along with the fun and friendly environment that accompanies the return of sports – breeds the existence of bandwagon jumpers and fair-weather fans. Early-season wins against non-conference opponents can give people a sense of hope that will be lost once competition picks up and teams have to work harder for victories.\nTo the biggest sports fans, people who only stick by the Hoosier athletic teams when victory seems likely are not really IU fans at all. Rather, they are in it for the enthusiasm of winning and don’t appreciate the hard work and development that occurs during a loss. They are simply looking for a party and won’t give respect until a team can produce. Savages, right? Maybe not.\nWith some of the major athletics teams trying to regain footing – the IU football team being the most prominent – any people IU teams can get into the stands will help the cause, regardless of whether those fans are fair-weather, die-hard or just interested people who followed a crowd. An excited fan base will keep IU athletics hitting the weight rooms and practice fields, wanting to keep the University’s attitude and expectations high.\nThe nip of autumn and the breeze of October will bring with them the joy of sports, and it is not for a stuck-up sports follower to denounce anyone who wants to take part for any reason. Every Hoosier has a right to support or denounce their athletics teams as they see fit, and while bandwagon jumpers might not purchase season tickets, they will help both revenue and national exposure. If the teams keep winning, they’ll keep coming back, whether they appreciate the hard work of the athletes and intricacies of the game or not.\nFair-weather fans are the mark of a program that is turning itself around, and IU athletics can definitely stand to right the ship. \nIf the Hoosiers win a few games to start the various athletic seasons and are impressive from the start, hopefully the enthusiasm of fair-weather fans will drive IU to more victories. Break out the grill and peppermint schnapps for the tailgaters who might not go to a game. If the Hoosiers win a few, those tailgaters might find their way into Memorial Stadium.