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Message: [QUOTE="willtalk, post: 2825595, member: 1220"] Sports supply a useful out let for the display of emotions that we might other not other wise feel comfortable expressing. Part of the fun of college and other athletics is that it allows for identification with others in common cause and expressed in good natured rivalries. It is a safe release valve for unexpressed emotional build ups. Much like movies, music etc. They, however, should be kept in perspective and not be confused with things in our lives that they only provide a projected release for. Sports are a real part of the lives of the players and coaches, but to us as fans they are just a projection They really do not affect our lives at all except for what impact we create for them to have on us. In reality they are just a convenient escape from our own issues . Uconn fans have had privilege of having the team they support dominate WCBB for decades. Put into the context that sports plays in the life of fans they should feel fortunate. When a team wins a game their fans feel happy and the other teams fans don't. Why should the winning team feel resentful that the losers are not happy they lost.? Some Uconn fans seem to feel that other fans do not have a right to be envious of and wish that it was their team that was the dynasty. Part of fandom is wanting your own team to win. That is part of what can make sports fun. It is only when it becomes personal that the problem arises. The USC coach's statement was not out of line. No team or fan, other than the ones who are a part of or support a dynasty, likes for one team to dominate. Sports are not like life in many ways. In sports people will support failure our of fandom. Something that would be totally illogical and crazy in real life. Of course that is why fan is short for fanatic. In sports you are allowed too root for your team of choice and root against other teams of your choice. As long as it is in good fun -- no problem. It is all a mater of keeping perspective. In sports and athletics there is seldom a level playing field. If there were their would be no dynasties or individuals who constantly win. Players playing the game and coaches are not equal in ability. Fans at every level wish their teams had the best coaches and players so their teams could win. Some teams will always lose and other will always win. Thats part of sports. Fandom can teach us about loyalty and how to keep trying despite failure. It can also teach us how to be gracious winners. Part of being a gracious winner is to understand how people on the losing end feel. Sometimes people who have not lost much forget that. That is one of the good things about sports. It allows us to learn life lessons with minimal negative effects on others and ourselves. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach