Ramblings from a Commercialized Campus

Today marked my first day of class/work at a non-FBS university. It's a little weird, since this campus is big into school spirit, but it's this totally made-up spirit since our lower tier, FCS school doesn't have any legendary sports history, particularly in football. It's a nice change of pace, I suppose, but not something I'm used to.

I'm strolling across campus and notice a girl sporting an Alabama t-shirt and hat. It reminded me how at UT, I always chafed at people wearing other schools' apparel, especially if it were a D-1 school. From the start, I had a fierce loyalty to my school. Sure, it started with the football team, but that was just an initial attraction, seeing a stranger across a crowded room. Once you get to know the object of your lust, you find all sorts of great things about him/her and love the complete person, not just that one attribute the caught your eye. When I say, "I love UT," it's taken to mean the football team, but my affections really do run deeper. I'm proud of our athletics, but also of the education I recieved, our campus/facilities, our research. The whole package. Seeing Alabama gear sported on "my" campus would have risen my gall.

I had no such feelings on my new campus. I'm excited about being here and really looking forward to the work I'll be doing. I'll even admit there's a tighter feeling of community here than at UT. I'm sincerely happy here. But it doesn't bother me to see other schools' logos on campus. I'm even part of the problem. I've obtained some clothing in the school colors (thought not specifically school-oriented), the notebook where I keep my thesis scrawlings is UT merchandise. I even intend to wear orange and white on Fridays.

I wondered to myself, 'What's the difference? Why am I engaging in the traitor-like bhevaior I despised during my time at UT?' I think it has to do with the commercialization. In this context, the girl's shirt and my notebook-- they're not symbolic of the entire institution, but serve to identify us as fans of a particular team. Thinking back to seeing college gear in non-academic contexts, such as on a cruise ship, I never think, 'Oh, he's wearing a Florida shirt. He must be a satisfied product of their university.' I think, 'Uggh. The poor guy is a Florida fan. How embarrassing for him.'

To think along another track: My thesis notebook. I bought it because a) it was cheap, b) it makes me happy because c) I identify and enjoy being a Vols fan. That was a football based decision. On the other hand (literally): my class ring. I purchased it my final year of undergrad. Instead of my birthstone, I chose an orange stone with the Power T emblazoned over it. To me, that symbolizes my entire university experience. In fact, when I look at it, the first thing I usually think of is Humanities Plaza or Presidential Courtyard. Football rarely enters the equation at all, even though it has the exact elements of my notebook.

I recognize this is not my most eloquent post by far. I haven't yet figured out what any of this really means. But I did want to catch these few moments between classes to explore these thoughts. I'd never considered how one symbol could stand for two completely polarized ideas (in this case, academics v. athletics).