COLUMN: Rivalries Help Keep the Spirit Alive

I was born and raised on football. Despite being from Pittsburgh, I was raised in a West Virginia University household, meaning my hatred for the University of Pittsburgh runs deep. 

Rivalry is in my blood. 

When I was looking at colleges, I wanted a school where sports meant something. After I visited Loyola, I knew it was for me. Everyone I talked to was proud to be a Rambler. The school’s enthusiasm for its sports was distinct. 

But there was one thing I hadn’t heard about — our rival schools.

Sports rivalries, especially at the college level, help keep the spirit alive. These rivalries act as an outlet for ecstatic fans and emphasize the feeling of community at the school.

According to KnowRivalry, there are 10 ingredients to a good rivalry, spanning three categories — conflict conditions, strong similarities and deep differences. 

The one ingredient that can’t be left out, for fear of messing up the recipe, is spatial proximity. When competitors are close to each other, it boosts the pride each group has for their respective team. 

In the Red Line Rivalry, Loyola goes up against DePaul University, our crosstown rival. At the women’s soccer game against DePaul Aug. 25, there was record-breaking attendance, with 1,178 people in the stands.

The crowd always makes a difference. With a gritty rivalry game, having the support of a huge crowd helps the players play harder. Rivalry games provide a mental boost to athletes, as well as giving them a chance to prove their superiority over their competitors, according to Peak Performance Sports. 

When I went to the Backyard Brawl between Pittsburgh and West Virginia last season, there was an undeniable energy to the stadium — one I didn’t have the pleasure of experiencing again until I went to my first Loyola basketball game against Chicago State Nov. 4. 

I stood in the stands in Gentile Arena, taking in the sights around me — the spirit teams, Lu Wolf hyping up the crowd, parents filing into the seats around me and the players warming up on the court.

Rambler Rules were taped to the seats, making sure new students knew what they should be doing during the game. Sister Jean was brought onto the court, praying for the team and the game ahead and most importantly, telling the referees to make fair calls for both teams. 

This was a special feeling. I felt like I was finally a part of the Rambler community, and I wasn’t just a lost first-year going through the motions of college life.

While the game I attended wasn’t a rivalry, the excited energy in the arena was still palpable.

There’s something in the air at rivalry games. The fans are on their feet, louder than ever. The players’ mindsets are boosted. The spirit of the game courses through everyone in the arena. 

The college experience isn’t complete without a school rivalry.