When it comes to local sports teams, it is ‘we’ vs. ‘them’
A GRIP ON SPORTS • I was texting with a buddy last night during the Gonzaga basketball game and he dropped a “we” into the conversation. Being he once played for the Zags, I gave him a pass. But it got me to thinking. When is it acceptable to refer to a local sports team with a “we?” Read on.
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• Never, zilch, nada. It’s that simple. Unless you are a member of the team, it isn’t a “we.” That is the rule I grew up with and one I still practice today. The UC Irvine baseball team I played on is a “we.” The rest of the Irvine sports and athletes, including today’s baseball players? I refer to them as “they.” I’m not part of the collective, to use Star Trek speak. But I understand there are others out there who have a more nuanced feel for the language. Gray is their favorite color, not black or white. Say you donate money to the Eastern Washington football program. Does that make you part of the group? Can you then refer to the football players as “we?” Well, you’ve bought in, so I guess there is an argument to be made. But have you strapped on the pads, sweated through two-a-days in August, taken a blindside hit in Bozeman in October? If the answers to those questions are no, then maybe “we” isn’t the right term to use. “The guys” might be better. Or even “my guys.” Still, opening up the purse or wallet and sending a few dollars to your favorite college program does engender a closer relationship, that’s for sure. Just ask the NCAA. There are rules you have to abide by when you become part of a booster group. And nowhere in those rules am I able to find a ban on using the term “we.” But it isn’t just financial supporters who like to throw such group-speak around. Guys who have never attended a Seahawk home game, never been in Seattle for goodness sake, were using “we” to describe the Hawks after the Super Bowl win a couple years ago. Of course, after last year’s Super Bowl and this year’s rough start, the more popular term was “those guys,” as in “those guys suck” or something similar. It’s normal. Heck, “we” wasn’t heard very often in Pullman in the last decade. And it certainly wasn’t common in the Coug vocabulary after the Portland State debacle. But recently, as the Hawks and the Cougars have turned their seasons around, there has been more “we, we, wees,” around their fanbases than at a Little Piggie festival. Yes, the word “we” can a sign of that insidious disease, homerism. It’s a disease that strikes suddenly and without warning, though it is always preceded by a couple of wins from the local team. After that it infects the populace, causing an uncontrollable desire to use terms like “I’ve been a fan since ...” or “I love so-and-so.” But the No. 1 symptom? The use of the word “we” in context with the team. So avoid homerism. Do not use of the word “we.” Those of us here at SportsLink, we thank you.
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• WSU: With the open bowl practices, it’s easy to see how the Cougars have been healing up over the past month. Jacob Thorpe spoke with one of the formerly out Cougs, offensive lineman Joe Dahl, and has this feature. ... Jacob also has a morning post with links around the conference. ... We fill in some of the blanks, with the news Oregon State is looking for a new defensive coordinator, a mixed-bag of basketball in the Bay Area, UCLA losing to North Carolina, Oregon State’s hoop victory over Tulsa, Colorado's easy win and an ASU rout. ... Stefanie Loh spoke with Mike Price about the Cougars last Sun Bowl visit.
• Gonzaga: The Battle in Seattle was aptly named this year as the Bulldogs struggled in the second half but held off Tennessee, 86-79 before a packed house in KeyArena. Jim Meehan has the game story and John Blanchette has a column on the Zags, who open WCC play at home Monday. ... Portland defeated Cal State Fullerton in the Far West Classic.
• EWU: The Eagles will play Denver today but last night in the Big Sky Southern Utah lost in Indiana and both Montana and Montana State lost on the road.
• Whitworth: The Pirates overpowered Millsaps, 86-47 last night at the Fieldhouse. Tom Clouse has the story.
• Chiefs: Tom was also at the Chiefs’ game against Portland, one that looked like another loss with 7 seconds left. But Jason Fram scored to tie it and the Chiefs won 5-4 in overtime. ... It’s been a while since Everett had had a successful Teddy Bear Toss night. ... It also had been a while since Tri-City had lost, but it happened last night.
• Preps: The Greater Spokane League held a rare Saturday basketball slate with key games in both the boys and girls ranks. ... There were also other basketball games in the area and we have girls and boys roundups. ... Post Falls repeated as Tri-State wrestling champion. Greg Lee has the story.
• Seahawks: Today is a special one for Pete Carroll. He could win his 100th NFL game. Not bad for a guy run out by two franchises. ... The Browns helped one the Hawks’ defensive lineman learn how to be tough. ... The running back corps today should be fun to watch. ... Finally, here’s one person in Seattle who agrees with Mike Pettine’s assessment of Russell Wilson.
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• That’s it for today. Enjoy the Hawks. I hope we play well. (Just kidding with you.) Until later ...
