Why I’m A Fan Of The Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers
On Thursday, the sports network of SB Nation rolled out a whole new look for each of their team-specific sites and, along with it, stories…
On Thursday, the sports network of SB Nation rolled out a whole new look for each of their team-specific sites and, along with it, stories from different writers about how they came to become fans of their team.
I bring this up for two reasons — one, I was asked by the SBN site I contribute to, Jackets Cannon, to give my story, and I had a blast writing it. Two, while we aren’t on SB Nation (yet, at least — whats happening, Matt Brown?), I think it’d be fun to get in on the fandom stories.
So, here it is — this is why I’m a Western Kentucky fan.
Unforutnately, it’s a bit of a plain story — I began attending WKU in the fall of 2011 and went to a lot of the sporting events. It was half forcing myself to cheer for WKU and half loving being in school, with a team of my own to pull for.
I began hating Middle Tennessee for no real other reason than because it was what I had to do. I began to live and die on every play call, every three-point shot, every pitch. I had grown up pulling for a college because I had, more or less, inherited a team (my father went to Auburn, so I grew up a Tiger), but the Toppers were my team.
As I got involved in on-campus student media, I began to not only enjoy my time at games and watching the Toppers in any and all events, but I became more knowledgable too. I learned not only the players and coaches, but what the teams were doing right, and what they were doing wrong.
I decided that there was a void in the sphere of Topper sports. Not that what was being done was bad, there just wasn’t enough voices. That’s when I started thinking about, and ultimately starting, a WKU blog on the FanSided network, where I (tried to, at least) gave the true fan’s voice. I was positive when positivity was warranted, and negative when negativity. But at least I, and my staff, was there, giving the type of coverage and attention we felt the Tops deserved.
That’s honestly what we’ve tried to do here, as well (despite the long breaks in content, and that’s entirely on me). Fill that void — whatever void — there is in WKU “fan” coverage.
I’ve told folks before that, in my opinion, there has been no better time to be a fan of WKU. The football program has gone from the undoubtedly worst program in the country to one of the best in the nation (regardless of conference affiliation). The volleyball program continues to out perform itself from the previous year and is a perennial Top 25 team. Soccer has been so close to reaching the NCAA’s. Both basketball programs have had their time in the light — and now, with the Lady Tops making yearly trips to the dance and with what Rick Stansbury is doing on the recruiting trail, whoo boy, buckle up. Softball has won their first couple of conference titles and made their first NCAA appearances since I’ve become a fan.
I’m not saying I’d be any less of a fan if any of these programs weren’t as — or any — good. I’m not even saying I’d be any less of a fan if any of these teams sucked. I’m just saying I’m thankful that they don’t and, seriously, what a time to be alive if you’re a Hilltoper.
So, there you have it. That’s my rather boring “why I’m a fan,” story. What is your WKU fandom story? Let us know in a comment below or on twitter @TheTowelRackWKU.