Published Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:14 AM
Updated Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:15 AM
Cup 'o Joey 2/27/08
The most loyal of fansDuring my first tour as a sports writer one thing has remained constant throughout the winter season: the parents who attend the games to support their young student athletes.
At every basketball game or wrestling match I attended over the season, I saw parents working the entrance door, serving at the concession stand, or in the bleachers cheering their hearts out. All winter I watched as Berkeley High School parents rallied behind their wrestlers despite tough losses due to an incomplete roster.
The Stags’ hard-fought season was always met with support from their most loyal fans. It’s often easy to be a fan of the team that always wins. However, I believe the true test of a fan comes when they are still cheering for the team who is on the losing side at the end of a match or game.
During Berkeley County’s athletic scholarship signings, wrestler Brad Dubay was met with smiles from his mother and father as he signed his letter of intent to wrestler for Anderson University next year.
“It was a tough season for his team, but they all fought hard,” Lynne Dubay said. “It is a tough sport these guys do, and I am one proud mother.”
And that is what I saw all season. Pride. Pride on the faces of the parents who would drive hours to watch their young athletes compete.
Win or lose, these young men and women were always met with the support of their families. When the final minutes or match of a battle between two schools had come to a close, the cheers and clapping from the bleacher seats could still be heard.
All season I have watched as parents have epitomized what a true fan should be.
I have seen them be supportive through it all and take time out of their no doubt busy schedules to cheer on their favorite athletes. It is a full time job to be a parent, so I salute and admire those who are able to make the time to cheer on the young athletes of today and possibly tomorrow.