Part of sports fanaticism is civic pride. I see it in every game I attend.
Whether it’s as a fan myself at a pro ball game or at the KIF games or local recreational events I cover for The Garden Island, behind every team or club is a crowd that shows its support.
But pride in your school — high school, college, whatever it is — wasn’t a thing to me years ago.
I graduated from Silver Creek High School in San Jose. Calif. When I was a Silver Creek Raider (that’s really our mascot), I was part of the school’s wrestling team.
The only people who came out to our dual meets were family members. It’s not like we brought the student body or large crowds in droves, not that it mattered to us.
Beyond that, I honestly don’t know what crowds were like at the football games, basketball games, etc. I was never really interested.
During my time at San Jose State University, school pride slowly but surely became something that I grasped.
When covering games for the school’s student-run campus newspaper, the Spartan Daily, I’d externally act as professionally as I could and not show much outward emotion.
Internally, I’d pull for my school no matter what sport I happened to cover on that particular day.
But in Hawaii, I learned rather quickly that it means something here.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a current student or faculty or you’re an alumnus who has graduated years ago, the school you come from is as part of you’re identity as what town or city you grew up in.
At games, especially at games that draw large crowds, you’ll certainly find a lot of the student body. You’ll also more than likely come across alumna from that school that graduated years, maybe even decades, ago.
At some football games or baseball games, the loudest ones I can hear from the media box are the certain aunties that I can identify just from the sound of their voice. I may not know names, but I know their voice and I know what school they’re cheering for.
I, too, am quick to show pride for my hometown teams. Every now and then, someone I know would bet me when UH plays San Jose State.
SJSU is more often the underdog against UH in any given sport we’d bet on, but I regardless take on the bet as a matter of pride. Of course, it’s not like I’d bet big money. But for a few bucks, a plate lunch or a round at the bar, you’re on.
On that note, I’m stoked the San Jose Sharks swept the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the NHL Playoffs.
For those of you who don’t know, regional rivalries between Northern and Southern California teams are pretty heated. Ask any Giants or Dodgers fan. (Go, Giants!)
So as a Sharks fan, a victory over the Ducks or the L.A. Kings is much sweeter.
And while it doesn’t erase the memory for me, this series win softens the sting of when the Sharks lost to the Kings in the opening round of the 2014 Playoffs and blew a 3-0 series lead.
In the second round, the Sharks will face expansion team Vegas Golden Knights, which coincidentally swept the Kings in the first round.
Bring it on, Vegas. #NightyKnight
But on more local news. Of course, civic pride isn’t exclusive to sports. Beyond the fields and courts, civic pride is more importantly about the communities.
While the aftermath of the torrential downpour on Kauai is devastating, I was encouraged to read the stories of the citizens spearheading relief efforts to help those in need.
Whether it’s donating food or supplies, helping to clean debris or loaning their truck to help move stuff, it’s inspiring to see people come together for a greater cause.
While this may not be much, I’d like to do something as well.
I’d like to donate some clothes. If clothing is a need and there’s a place I can drop these off that will directly give them to those who are affected from the flooding, or to anyone who needs them, please email or call.
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
