Overtime Thoughts: A Sports Fan’s Reflection

Sports are more than just nine innings, four quarters, three periods, or 800 meters. An old ABC Sports TV show spotlights the “thrill of victory,” and “the agony of defeat.” Why do we experience these feelings so intensely? This is the question that I aimed to answer.

If you’ve ever spoken to me for more than thirty seconds, you know how much I love sports. Throughout my life, I’ve played almost everything imaginable, including baseball, basketball, soccer, track, and flag football. Growing up, my grandfather taught me the basics of every major sport and cultivated my love for the New York Mets and the New York Rangers. More recently, I’ve also become a huge fan of the Buffalo Bills. I live and die with my teams, and I wanted to find out if others at WESS shared a similar sentiment. 

I interviewed over 20 WESS students, staff, and teachers about what sports means to them. Some grew up rooting for their favorite teams with family, creating lifelong traditions and connections. Others have found their place on the field, court, track, or in the pool. And, those who don’t watch or play still experience the impact– whether in school hallways, at home, or in everyday conversations, sports weave their way into our community in ways we don’t always realize. 

Through these interviews I explored the character-building power of sports, the bonds we build through sports, and our passion for rivalries.

The Character-Building Power of Sports

Many athletes and coaches often say that sports are life’s greatest teacher. Winning and losing, training hard, overcoming setbacks— these experiences translate far beyond the game. 

“Sports are a microcosm of life,” says Robert, WESS’ track and cross country coach. “When you commit to a team, you commit to something bigger than yourself. You develop accountability, resilience, and the ability to set and achieve goals.”

Professional athletes embody this. Take NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose journey from poverty — selling goods on the streets of Greece to support his siblings and immigrant parents—to winning an NBA Championship and two MVP awards proves that success requires more than just raw talent.

That same mindset is reflected in student-athletes like tenth grader Nora Kosta-Cetin, a top runner of WESS’ track team. “Even when I don’t achieve something, I feel a sense of accomplishment. It pushes me to work harder and gives me the motivation to pursue further goals.” This mindset expands outside of sports as well— in any sort of pursuit, when we don’t master or perfect something, it still allows us to learn and grow from the effort.

She describes how the track team has created a strong sense of community, “It’s nice to have a circle of people around you who support you and all of your struggles and achievements.” 

The Bonds We Build Through Sports

Some of the most passionate fans at WESS were introduced to their team by family members, making sports a key part of their relationships. 

D’Agastino, a Yankees fan, recalls how baseball connected her with her grandparents, who immigrated from the Dominican Republic. “They’d talk about Yankees legends while I tried to keep up in my broken Spanish. It wasn’t just about the game, it was about family.”

Faith, an Ohio State football fan, never cared for football until her son started playing. While removed from his playing days, football remains a way for them to bond. “We watch games together, not just on TV but in the stadium. It’s become a family tradition.”

Jonah Vimont, an eleventh grader and Liverpool soccer fan, describes how his love for the team started with his dad. “I started watching them because my dad was really into soccer, and we ended up supporting them together,” he says. “It’s fun watching soccer games with him, and it’s definitely a way that we bonded over some other sports like biking.” He also notes that on the WESS track team, “Being part of a team is what matters most to me. I really enjoy the WESS track team, and it’s because of the people that make it such a fun experience.”

Lucy Allensworth, a tenth grader and Los Angeles Dodgers fan, shares how she became her dad’s go-to person for baseball. “None of my family members get his excitement or connection to the Dodgers. So even though I don’t always fully understand what’s happening, I go to all the games with him. I get to spend time with him doing that.”

For others, sports keep them connected with long-distance family. Kasten Zimner, a tenth grader who supports Arizona teams, says, “My dad is from Phoenix, so I support the Cardinals, Suns, and Diamondbacks. It gives us something to talk about, and it’s also an excuse for me to stay in touch with my family on the West Coast.”

And finally, in the words of our principal, Andrew, “In a world where it’s hard to find time to spend with other people, it forces us to all be in the same place, thinking about the same thing, hopefully rooting for the same teams. It forms community.” 

Reflecting on the interviews I did, I believe that Andrew’s quote truly encapsulates the power and beauty of sports. The ability to come together in a chaotic world where everyone will experience and pursue something different, sports allows us to unite and share a part of each other’s journey. 

The Passion of Rivalries

There’s nothing quite like the intensity of a sports rivalry. Whether it’s Jets vs. Patriots, Steelers vs. Ravens, or Ohio State vs. Michigan, rivalries stir strong emotions.

Ryan Gold, a tenth grader and devoted New York Jets fan, refuses to entertain the idea of ever supporting the New England Patriots. “There is no rivalry that matters more to me,” he says. “I would do a lot of things before I ever became a Patriots fan.” Ryan would go on to discuss the repercussions and emotions his father would feel if Ryan ever began dating a Patriots fan. His sentiments reflect what makes rivalries so compelling and passionate— each game simply means more.

For Ross, being a Pittsburgh Steelers fan means more than just supporting his team—it means hating the Baltimore Ravens with every ounce of his being. Ross admits “It gets to the point where it’s not good emotions. Like, I want this guy to be injured. It’s not pretty to admit that.”

At Ohio State, where loathing the University of Michigan is a fundamental requirement, Faith mentions, “When I went to campus, I noticed they cross out all the M’s, whatever the word is. They don’t even mention the M, they skip it and pronounce it differently.” 

Rivalries aren’t just about competition– they’re about identity, tradition, and the deep-rooted emotions that come with supporting a team. Rivalries make sports what they are, and they remind us that when the clock hits zero, and in life, the things that mean the most are always worth fighting for.

Reflections

Even for those who don’t play or watch, the influence of sports is impossible to ignore. As Robert puts it, “I see it as not only students achieving things athletically, but they're growing as people. Committing to something bigger than themselves, putting in that hard work, having accountability—it prepares young people for life.”

While only speaking to a portion of the WESS community, I conclusively realized that sports aren’t just games. We experience the thrills of victory and agony of defeat because sports mean more than that. They remind us we’re never truly alone. They shape who we are. They connect us to those we care about and they teach us meaningful, irreplaceable, and unique lessons.