What Makes A Fan?

[leebiddlecome]

With all of the discussion here I thought it would be interesting to hear verying opinions on what makes a person a "fan" of a team.

Do they have to go to all the games? Do they have to spend X amount of dollars as a booster? Do they have to listen to games occasionally and read about the team in the paper? Do they have to believe everything they are told? Do they have to be 100% supportive of every move and never question a coach? Do they have to pass a certain test designed to be considered a fan? Do they have to post on message boards? Is someone still a fan if they sometimes question things?

Or is a fan a fan if they say they are? Is there any criteria at all--and, if so, who gets to make the decision?

[Beninator]

Stirring the pot a little today!?!?!?!

[shaunguth]

Do they have to go to all the games? NO
Do they have to spend X amount of dollars as a booster? NO
Do they have to listen to games occasionally and read about the team in the paper? NO
Do they have to believe everything they are told? NO
Do they have to be 100% supportive of every move and never question a coach? NO
Do they have to pass a certain test designed to be considered a fan? NO
Do they have to post on message boards? NO
Is someone still a fan if they sometimes question things? YES

Or is a fan a fan if they say they are? MOST LIKELY
Is there any criteria at all--and, if so, who gets to make the decision? NO

[leebiddlecome]

Stirring the pot a little today!?!?!?!

Nah, slow at work But, honestly, I am curious. I see people on the board call themselves fans and other people not fans or haters, or whatever. I am curious what the standard is for everyone.

I can go first To me, a fan is a fan if he/she says they are. I don't see why someone would lie about that. I can't imagine a "fan" would buy season tickets, watch games on TV or do things if they weren't a fan. Those are my standards.

[thefish7]

For me a fan is at the very least someone who prefers a team to others that they have no opinion of. For example, I consider myself a passing Celtics fan. I like them better than say, the Pacers (who I don't care even a little about). That being said I'm a "bigger" fan of the Bulls and they are my primary team, so in the current series I'm very clearly rooting Bulls.

I don't really think anyone decides who is a fan of what, and I also don't think fandom is necessarily static. I was Jazz fan once, but what that really meant was that I was a Stockton, Hornacek, Malone fan. Once those guys were gone, I didn't care at all. Similarly, I'm a POB (and Chris Bosh) fan, so if I see a Raptors game on, I'll watch it.

I think the thing that keeps getting confused here is that you can be a Bradley fan, or a Bradley basketball fan, while not also being a Jim Les fan... You could even be a detractor, or you could just not care about Jim Les. I'm personally currently a fan of both. I will always be a Bradley fan, I suspect, due to ties direct and indirect to the university and Peoria. I am a Jim Les fan, and suspect I will remain one, but who knows? By the time his tenure ended at Bradley, I was no longer a great fan of Molinari as a coach and was ready to see him move on.

I guess I'm just not sure why we keep confusing this. I doubt anyone who takes the time to pay attention to a Bradley specific forum wouldn't be a Bradley fan (or at least an MVC fan, as some of our visitors can attest to)... But I also don't think we all need to agree when it comes to our opinions of coaches, games, players, news, etc. It doesn't mean you're not a fan, it just means you feel this, and maybe others don't. In the related discussion (argument) between Lee and DC I just see a difference of opinion being expressed by both parties and neither side need take it personally.

Regarding another "hot" and maybe related topic, I completely understand the moderating position that bradleyfans.com has taken. Blatant personal attacks on players or the program can be avoided if you still have criticism of the performance of the team or program. I think (without actually knowing) that the operators of this site have some connections to the university and choose not to allow that kind of "attack" in deference to their connection. That's fine with me... As long as we're not moderating a difference of opinion on the "product" of the basketball program (because agree or no, I think people are entitled to such an opinion).

/ramble

[LG281]

Dude...we've discussed this ad nauseam...let it go.

Bradleyfans is what it is - take it for what it is. A place you can go and learn about/discuss BU sports. Sure its ok to question the system...sure its ok to want a championship or to go back to the big dance...seems to me, however, that folks here prefer the glass half full version of BU Basketball. So be it.

I will say that no one ever mistakes the "glass half full" folks for NOT being fans. Think about it.

[BradleyBrave]

Several blades and a motor.

[Beninator]

Several blades and a motor.

I almost posted the same thing!

[tornado]

BradleyFans is "chartered" and a positive and Pro-BU site, and we caution clearly that the anti and criticism stuff will be moderated.
Every one of the posters MUST agree to the rules before they register....and whether you recall it or not, you did click on that page to get registered.

Here's what is says......and this is what you HAVE agreed to (literally just like a contract!)


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"I have read, and agree to abide by the BradleyFans.com Forums rules."

http://www.bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6689

People may not like all that but it is as it is. There's plenty of other boards to go to if people want to be negative, and this is about the only positive place...trust me I have been to all of 'em.


If a poster agrees to something then turns right around and demands the right
to do the opposite, then what does it say about the poster??

[thefish7]

T-- I actually don't see anything in there about a pro-bradley requirement. Registering users agree to keep it clean with that thing... though it does say it allows mods to do whatever they want.

[shaunguth]

T-- I actually don't see anything in there about a pro-bradley requirement. Registering users agree to keep it clean with that thing... though it does say it allows mods to do whatever they want.

Which is why I'm not quite clear on the most popular "Men's Basketball" thread at a certain other board. Talk about a joke of a message board!

[TheAsianSensation]

What's the difference between criticizing and being negative, then?

[thefish7]

For me that difference is "I just don't think player X is capable of performing at a level of... etc" compared to "That guy sucks."

[brocks]

If you're watching the ESPN sports ticker and you know the BU score is coming up next and your heart skips 4 beats, then you're a fan.

[tornado]

T-- I actually don't see anything in there about a pro-bradley requirement. ...

it is all in how you interpret the words...

I cannot imagine these words can be so ambiguous...

here are the words to which I refer.........

By registering to post on this forum you acknowledge and accept all rules of
participation as outlined below. If you don't agree with these guidelines, please
don't post.
This forum is designed and intended for fans of Bradley University to discuss
Bradley Braves sports and related topics. It is designed to be family-friendly
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All participants are asked to conduct themselves with dignity and class.
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http://www.bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6689

If you have ever posted even one time, then you had to have agreed to this...
...just like the "You must be this tall" requirements at Six Flags....
you may not like it but it's the rule and you either agree or go elsewhere.