Going out of state for college is never easy. You're separated from your family and the places you've been familiar with for most of your life. You're separated from the things you grew up to love.
Going out of state for me was one thing, going out of state to a place where sports rule their world is another thing. Sadly for me, sports also rule my world -- just not North Carolina sports.
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Welcome to North Carolina where we believe our sports teams are the best in the world.
The ultimate struggle: Duke, UNC, and NC State basketball
I love being in Wilmington and I love wearing my UNCW shirts. However, on my campus, there are more Duke and Carolina blue shirts than teal ones. Growing up a Virginia fan, I've stepped into enemy territory. Sure, it's not a huge rivalry... well, at least it wasn't until recently. UVA started to power through the ACC in basketball, beat Duke two years in a row for the ACC title, and has made their national presence known in the world of college basketball.
I get side-eyed constantly and hear snarky remarks anytime I wear my UVA on campus, or even around town and don't get me started on when I go out to watch the games. Most college basketball fans in the state of North Carolina fail to accept that other teams exist that are on the same level as they are, if not better.
Oh yeah, and don't ever expect one of their fans to admit their weaknesses or admit that another team outplayed them in a game and deserved to beat them. I've heard every excuse in the book as to why Duke has lost the regular season ACC title for the past two years but never once have I heard that it's because UVA has been the better team ACC play for the past two years.
The other struggle: professional sports teams (especially the Panthers)
I didn't even know the Carolina Panthers were relevant until recently, with the arrival of Cam Newton. Even when I first moved down here in 2012, you didn't really hear their name. Once they got on a roll though every North Carolinian was suddenly a die hard Panthers fan. Even better, now that they're undefeated (that's another rant for another day) you can't talk to someone without them telling you they root for the panthers.
They're a good team, sure, but if you haven't been with them from the start, I'm just going to assume that you're just another bandwagoning fan because you live in the state. If you can't create a solid argument around why they're a great team other than "Cam Newton" or "We're undefeated," I'll assume again that you're a bandwagon fan.
I root for a team that not many on the East Coast root for, the Minnesota Vikings. Now when we're in the same division as the Panthers, conversations get heated. The Vikings aren't a bad team, and for the teams we've played this year, I'm proud to stand with them. We've had true tests of talent and skill and we've lost some games to some really good teams. I've learned this season more about Panthers fans than ever.
You can't tell them anything negative about them because they'll pull the "undefeated" card. Sure, you haven't lost, but the Panthers have one of, if not the easiest schedules in the NFL this year. Ninety-five percent of the teams they're playing this year having losing records, but, of course, you can't bring that up without being called a hater.
I've also noticed that most people are "Hornets fans" and "Hurricanes fans" but don't actually keep up with the teams. You can ask them their record and they won't really know it, but they'll try to fake it by saying something along the lines of "we're pretty decent." I also see an immense amount of people that go to games, but don't actually know their team, or the players, or anything else but then again it's their home team and they just have to say they're a fan.
The bottom line of my struggle:
If there's anything I've learned from my past four years, it's that you set yourself up for frustration when you live in North Carolina and cheer for teams outside of the state. North Carolina sports fans are hands-down the most hard-headed fans and will never listen to what you have to say, especially if it's negative. They'll avoid questions or statements that make them seem like their not the best team in the country. You'll get nowhere in conversations and they'll never admit another team is better than theirs.
I love where I live and I'm glad to call North Carolina home now, but I'm even more proud to represent teams that I actually care and know a lot about, not just because I live in a certain area. I'm proud to say I'm a Minnesota Vikings fan, winning or losing season, and I'm from nowhere close to Minnesota. I'm also proud to say that I'm a die-hard UVA Cavalier fan because that's what I've grown up as. The problem I find is that yes, a lot of North Carolina residents are die-hard sports lovers and have their favorite teams just as I do, and good for them. But it's extremely frustrating when you come across the "local fans" who cheer for teams based on where they're from or when true fans can't see the other side and see everything only in light of their own team.
I love sports and I love to talk sports. I'll give credit when it's due and criticism when it's deserved. But man if it's not a struggle trying to talk sports to a fan of any North Carolina sports team.
