Why UW Needs Athletics

 

Photo courtesy of: Marie Lan Nguyen - wiki commons
Photo courtesy of: Marie Lan Nguyen – wiki commons

Meanwhile here at UW, outside of receiving an education, sports matter quite a bit to the community.

Just because I am a fat white guy does not mean I watch sports as an excuse to drink.

Believe it or not, there are real world implications to sporting results. According to a recent study done by Darren Rovell, over 500 news jobs and a 2.5 percent revenue boost to the Cleveland economy was brought by the signing of Lebron James to the Cavaliers. Tell me that is not a tangible result of sports. Go ahead and tell the people of Boston how sports did not matter after the bombing at the marathon, and how they relied on the Red Sox and Bruins to serve as a distraction.

Basically, without sports, I would be out of a job and a livelihood. Athletics needs to be here in UW. And maybe you should start following if you are not already.

Meanwhile here at UW, outside of receiving an education, sports matter quite a bit to the community. According to the Wyoming budget for 2013-2014, athletics generates just over $12.7 million in revenue for the university. Considering this is anything but peanuts, you could say there are real world implications to sports. Boosters also judge their “givings” based on the performances of sports teams. We can thank the renovations of the Arena Auditorium to the up-swing performances of the men and womens basketball programs.

But honestly, the money does not matter to me. Neither does ensuring the fat pockets that make the campus turn round are happy. What matters to me is the fact that sports draw a community together. I can walk down to Loaf-N-Jug right now, say “Go Pokes” while I hold the door open for a patron and hear the same “Go Pokes” in response. How cool is that? It’s an instant bond between strangers. Where a strange, fat drunk guy will get a hug from me any day after a Wyoming touchdown. Where the heartbreak is lightened because you know an entire state shares your pain. Sports are a truly beautiful thing. It’s no wonder I love them.

Basically, without sports, I would be out of a job and a livelihood. Athletics needs to be here in UW. And maybe you should start following if you are not already.

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