College grads and "flying the colors" - help me understand?

Rich

Rich

Asshole at large
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Location
Central PA
I'm not talking about rooting for the school you like or where you go / went..
I'm talking about people who, years after they have left, still 'theme' along those lines.

I recently saw a Ducati motorcycle done completely in a tiger theme, tail and all. Princeton Grad. Some others have little nic-nacs that if they weren't themed along their school lines and were neutral, would NEVER make it into their homes.. (i.e. They'd hang the velvet "dogs playing pool" picture in their living room if the dogs had a college shirt on)

That said, I never attended college full-time - I went into the Army. Spent 6 years, basically 24/7, living & breathing it...like it or not. Because of the nature of our jobs and the things that happened during that time, we developed a bond that no non-wartime / traumatic experience type of group could form.. But after I got out, you don't see me wearing military clothing, driving a Hummer, and subscribing to the Army Times magazine..

I understand that there are many fun memories that thinking about your school brings back, since for most it was their first taste of freedom, and that by "flying the colors", it helps to bring back those memories.

I'm not trying to put down anyone... Honestly, I'm trying to gain an understanding of why... (Type a # as the first character of the reply so we can see that you read more than the first line and flew off the handle like most do.. :) )
 
1. I stand behind UT (texas) because my dad, brother, cousins, and friends all go there are graduated from there. I will start (finish) in the summer of 07. I know what you mean though. I would put a longhorn sticker on my Truck and Jeep but not paint a giant steer or tie giant longhorns to the hood. Would not paint the truck orange or something stupid like that. I have lived 30-50 minutes from campus and been in the female dorms when I was younger more times than I can count but will never be "stupidly supportive" of a team.
 
# I agree with you completely Rich.
 
I guess it's all about the experience you have in college. Myself for one, would love to go back... not to take classes, but to re-live the college life. Parties, beach, etc. That's why they have alumni I guess.
 
#
Well I am on both sides here.
I am a Clemson grad. And Love the school. Go back often, games etc.
I have plenty of shirts hats etc. And even a tag on the front of the Tahoe.

Here is the office we have a little war with myslef, a NC State , A USC (south carolina), UNC, DUKE, WAKE, FSU, APP State, Miami, Coastal, and ECU all in one room. So I have a football schedule and a Tiger business card holder at my desk. And I even have a 6" Orange paw tatoo'ed on my shoulder in layed with a palmetto blue crescent and tree.

*My Reasoning*
I grew up way below poverty level and have lived on my own since 15, to me college was a challenge, a goal, that everyone I knew said I could never achieve. The fact that I paid my way through, worked my ass off and graduated is a badge of honor to me. It does not entitle me to anything (I.E. a better job or more money) it is something I did for me. Unfortuantely I never got the frat guy party 5 year experience, but I dont think I missed much.

But I also see folks take it to far. One guy in the office has a pool atble with Carolina Blue felt that he paid more for the custom felt than he did the slate table. I think thats ridculous (and hideous looking).

So not sure if I cleared anything up. But definitely gave some thoughts. BTW I would never compare what I did in college to those who served. It was my full intent and a great desire to serve in the military unfortunately I was declared medically ineligible.

:beer:
 
#just because you don't drive hummers and subscribe to army times and all that, doesnt mean there arent just as many people stuck in their army years as there are people stuck in their college years(or wishing they were)

i for one could care less, im ready to be done with college, and i cant see myself really flying the colors once im gone,

i came here because i felt it was the smartest choice for me, not because i was the biggest fan of NC State, and i think thats probably the boat you were in with the military, so we just arent the type to hang on to it as much i guess
 
#7
I graduated from App State. Have an ASU sticker on my Heep, t-shirts and a hat. I am not one of the folks you describe. I can understand it though. One could say the same about someone that is so focused on a sport/hobby as to decorate their house/apt, schedule vacations around 4x4 events/rides, specialty tags for the vehicle, birthday cakes shaped like super swampers .... I mean it's whatever you're into. I am guilty as charged .
I own three Jeeps and will have more in the future.

:beer:
 
kcarroll said:
#7
I graduated from App State. Have an ASU sticker on my Heep, t-shirts and a hat. I am not one of the folks you describe. I can understand it though. One could say the same about someone that is so focused on a sport/hobby as to decorate their house/apt, schedule vacations around 4x4 events/rides, specialty tags for the vehicle, birthday cakes shaped like super swampers .... I mean it's whatever you're into. I am guilty as charged .
I own three Jeeps and will have more in the future.
:beer:
Click to expand...
thats a good point. because though people with tatoos (no offense) and super sticker say the same thing about "jeeps" how could someone put so much money into a POS like a Jeep. yet we do it everyday. One phrase, "To each his own."
 
To each his own...yes.. Remember, I'm not judging, just trying to understand...
 
# I still sport the college tshirts and head back up for the "alumni" rugby game each year. (The tshirts because they are usually cheap, and well made buy 1 each year and it gives me a chance to chat with the bookstore staff when i visit)
As for more decorative stuff?
Well, if it was nice, and didn't cost more than something without the logo, sure.
But most of the stuff is either double the price or kind of cheesy looking. (Wife would beat me down if I tried going cheesy)
The ones I find the most amusing, aren't the ones that played sports and take it still a little serious, it's the guys that never even WENT to the college.
We have a couple of Duke/UNC/NC state/WHICHEVER big school fans around here like that.
One of them went to Guilford I think? But his car has UNC stickers, UNC stuff around his desk, etc etc.
I also have a friend that played football at Va Tech. Graduated, and has Hokie stuff EVERYWHERE. I understand that somewhat. He played for them, it was what paid for his college, etc etc. He gives a ton of money to the booster programs, helps with scholarship funds, etc.
But why be a fan of a school you didn't go to? That bit baffles me.
 
#? uh that didn't work so well, heh

Ok...I am not a fanatic by any far fetch and I DO understand being loyal to the school YOU (or your folks) went to. That is just team spirit...same reason Marines give Army guys a hard time, calls Navy Squids, etc.

What is kinda funny to me is loyalty to a University that cares nothing about you, you and none of your family ever attended and could not possibly afford to do so! (DUKE Univ being my example)

When I came to NC in 1988, was asked which was my favorite ACC college team...I sorta drifted around and still don't care a whole lot. I like NCSU football the best, prefer Carolina basketball... but would rather see ANY ACC team beat another conf, so somewhat loyal to the region that way.

In the last couple years I have looked really hard at becoming/joining the Wake Forest fan club, mostly because they are 15-20 minutes from my house, I could go to most of their games, etc. No other connection really, would allow my Carolina wife to watch "her" team, etc. [she didnt go there, nor any of her family but...they are 'heels]

So I am somewhat with ya Rich...I have a few items around, a NCSU jacket, bunch of AppState stuff (cus I actually got my MBA from them), and ballcaps from WFU and Carolina.

Should be a fun thread to watch, you always get some "haters" lol.. :popcorn:
 
Rich, there's just no understanding Carolina people. That's all there is to it. You're not the first person to question why they've gotta paint everygoddamnthing that :gay: pastel blue, and you certainly won't be the last. ;)
 
I would doubt that most fanatics are actually alum or students. It is mainly about sports. Sure alum. have a sticker and some cloths, but the crazy people that plaster in the crap do it for sports. The ones I know never even attended college, but grew up fans. I think a lot is family bonding. I have pictures of me at Clemson games as a kid in all orange. We used to camp and go to football games every year. Both parents are alumni and we lived close enough to still go all the time. Then I went to state and now we have a rivalry. Until jan anyway, then I start at clemson too.
 
Caver Dave said:
# ... ain't life grand Sammy? Semper Fi! :lol:
Click to expand...
Dang Jarheads :fuck-you:
saf-t scissors said:
Rich, there's just no understanding Carolina people. That's all there is to it. You're not the first person to question why they've gotta paint everygoddamnthing that :gay: pastel blue, and you certainly won't be the last. ;)
Click to expand...
Yeah, whoever built our house must have loved Carolina, too much blue even for Susan.
 
saf-t scissors said:
Rich, there's just no understanding Carolina people. That's all there is to it. You're not the first person to question why they've gotta paint everygoddamnthing that :gay: pastel blue, and you certainly won't be the last. ;)
Click to expand...


Well I went to Carolina and graduated there I might add. But I also went to State for a year which I very much enjoyed also. As for Carolina people, I personally get a kick out of the animoscity. I used to be the same way. My dad went to Duke and I was raised a Duke fan but after living that rivalry I can't stand the thought of Duke. Its like they say. "you either went to carolina and loved or hate everyone that did". I think its kinda like penis envy. haha:flipoff2: but its all fun for me. so feel free to rag on me for it. I am not sensitive.
 
# I have pulled for one or the other at different times in my life. I have wore the stuff because it felt good, and was give to me. I have also wore it because it was something casual, that didn't have weld burns, or grease stains. Now a days, it's unusual to find me wearing anything that doesn't have a shirt pocket on it(since I am a smoker)
Now I do kinda collect 4WD stuff, many many shirts, most say something about an event, or about Jeep. I know many people, and many associate me with Jeeps. Why, because I like em. But I still shop for them looking for a deal. This year at the Dixie Run, Leslie got three T-shirts, I got one because it had pocket!
Understand, I doubt you ever will. Accept it and don't fret.
 
i did not go to unc nor did any of my family members but i am a huge unc fan.... i dont really wear any of the merch or fly the colors, but am a die hard fan... i guess mine comes from being around it all my life and growing up watching the heels play on tv, etc.... i find it hard to believe that anyone who grew up in the raleigh/durham/chapel hill area doesnt at least have an opinion... its mostly transplants/yankees that dont get it :fuck-you: ;) now, here in charlotte, i see more people that are SEC fans than ACC... and the UNC/Duke rivalry is definately not as heated... i miss talking back and forth about it during bball season at times
 
I paid for my college(uncg) after staying drunk and losing a baseball scholarship to Auburn. After I left ,I felt assraped if anything by tuition, my school spirit wasn't very high and when the Alumni association calls wanting more $$$$ I laugh and ask what the hell they are going to waste it on now? I own some property near the campus and have seen non-stop building/demolition all over the campus. I watched the completion of one building about 15 years ago and then watched it get torn down in the last few years. They seem to operate like the military, "hey we have X amount of cash we have to spend in order to get the same amount next year".
Enough on that, the people who I really don't understand are the sports fanatics be it college or pro. They like to say "we won" or "we play them today". Guess what? YOU..didn't do shit but sit on your ass and watch. All this comes from someone who watches whats considered to be the most boring sport of all to watch, baseball, and I watch around 100 games a season. I just don't have crap all over my car, house, whatever advertising it. I'm really not knocking it,(even though I think it's a cry for attention and a sense of belonging) it's just that I really don't get it either.
 
#I think it is just that a lot of people like to feel connected to something. Whether because they share the common experience of going to a school or being from a place or just going through a period in life. There are just as many people who express their connection to one of the branches of the military or even just being from a particular state (Texas and SC come to mind).

I guess because I grew up down here (with all the ACC rivalries) I don't really even notice it. I do not get the 'blue heaven' syndrome where people paint entire rooms that gawdawful 'Carolina Blue.' But, growing up, it didn't matter if anyone you knew went to any of the local schools, everyone was a fan of some team and there were always friendly wagers (loser wears the winning team colors type stuff) for big football and basketball games. I think I got it from my dad, though, because he also paid his own way through and no one else in his family ever had... his dad only had an 8th grade education. So he is more than happy, now, to support the teams and the school and he even gives of his time to do scholarship interviews at State. It's a hobby for a lot of people... he doesn't fish or hunt, but he goes to football games. We don't scream obscenities at opposing team supporters or take sports personally, but we enjoy going and watching and even talking about it... not unlike we go wheeling and talk about that.

Go fig, I grew up here pulling for State but spent 5 great years in B'burg... now I'm back here and find myself pulling for both State and VT. I wouldn't paint a room in my house or anything, but I have a VT sticker on my car and even a Christmas tree ornament from the bookstore. I do think it is different when your school is far away, it is neat to see other cars with VT stickers down here. :) I have both State and VT t-shirts... but my new parka is Virginia Tech 'burnt orange.' :)
 
I went to WCU mainly to fish and be in the mountains. No fawking way will I wear purple though. Now I will wear a Lenoir Rhyne hat (MBA), maroon and black plus local connection so it just works better.
 
just curious for those who dont "get it".... are any of you NASCAR fans by chance? that is a whole other fan base who is very adimate (sp?) about who they pull for and who has nothing to do with the driver/team they pull for.... just curious
 
#

I don't have a problem with anybody that wants to promote their own team...ASSUMING they actually went there...

if you spent your time and money (or parents' money, or governments' money, whatever) for several years, be as proud as you want...

I have no problem with anybody that went to any school...UNC, Duke, Clemson, whatever...

the ones I don't get are those that never went to school, yet call it "us" when they talk about it...and a majority of those around here are Tarheel fans...

I used to play basketball with a guy that had a Carolina blue foot tattoo on his shoulder...yet never went to UNC...

I find it more entertaining to see those from smaller towns that still relive the high school football days...:D

Greg
 
Back
Top