Seeing hundreds of fans trickle into Hanapepe Stadium last Friday night to watch the high school football game almost left me teary-eyed. It brought back old memories of my glory days when I played college water polo at Fordham University.
Seeing hundreds of fans trickle into Hanapepe Stadium last Friday night to watch the high school football game almost left me teary-eyed.
It brought back old memories of my glory days when I played college water polo at Fordham University.
Ah, those were the days.
Although most people on the East Coast can’t seem to figure out how we get horses to jump in the pool (or where we find life-jackets big enough for them), there were a few who took interest in the sport. Some of them even showed up to games.
And just like those high school football players at Kapa’a, I had fans too.
Well, actually, I only had one.
Yep, one whole fan. His name was Max, and although he never hung up signs around town saying he believed in me, his attendance at every home game and scrimmage was all the support I needed.
Alright, I’ll admit he wasn’t just a fan, he was my best friend. But he was effective nonetheless.
Although he was but one voice beside the pool, he was loud. Almost edging on abnoxious. Even when I was under water I could here him shouting. And it made me a better player. I used to get the hugest rush when I would score and Max was around. I used to look up and see his both arms in the air, staring at the other team as if to say “bet ya didn’t see that one coming.”
Fan support.
It’s what drives an athlete.
A crowd can take a simple pick-up game between two competitive forces and elevate it to an unprecedented and almost surreal level.
For the most part, Kaua’i fans have helped to achieve this feat. Hundreds of parents, alumni and friends attend the games. Many of them state their allegiance draped in team shirts and team colors. Others bring signs and some even camp out hours before the game.
But when they are all there-and especially when the ref sounds that first whistle-something is missing.
I can still hear my watch beep on the hour. I can hear every crunch from every tackle on the football field and I can sometimes even hear the players chit-chat on the sidelines.
And I’m not even under water.
If there weren’t two bands and enough cheerleaders to replace every player on the field, there wouldn’t be any noise during Kaua’i high school football games.
If you were to ask me one difference between Kaua’i sports and the mainland, noise decibel is one of them. For this island, it’s more like a lack thereof.
Do you fans want to improve Kaua’i sports? Then get your vocal chords into shape and actively participate.
Joe Montana wasn’t lying when he stood up at the podium during his retirement ceremony and said he owes a debt of gratitude to his fans. Their voices are what gave him the encouragement to execute unerring two-minute drives. They are the sounds that gave him that extra adrenaline pump which carried him through every fourth quarter.
Do you honestly believe Shaquille O’Neill misses that many free throws when he is standing on the line by himself in some neighborhood black-top court in Los Angeles? Or is it the thousands of waving streamers and screaming fans that rock an NBA court that causes him to continuously clank foul shots off the back of the rim.
The crowd works both ways.
Would Joe Namath have been as famous as he is today if his on-and-off the field antics weren’t witnessed an supported by millions of fans around the country? Absolutely not.
My point is simple.
You, the fan, can make the player. These kids will throw further, jump higher, and run faster if you stood up off your chairs, lifted your arms to the sky and shout for support.
You create the energy. Not the players. And trust me, the gift of cheer is the gift that gives back. You will be rewarded with great plays, wild finishes and memorable moments.
Kaua’i’s athletes will appreciate your support. And you will appreciate the quality of play they give back to you.
Speak up, Kaua’i. Let them know you care, not by just showing up, but by letting them HEAR your support.
