It's disappointing to see ODAC fans that know the game genuinely wish the Marlins to lose. I understand not enjoying their style of play. I even understand objecting to the attitudes of individual players. I don't, however, feel it reasonable to wish losses on a team that has represented the conference through a National Championship and a National Runner-Up. The ODAC is respected more nationally today than they have been in the 10 years I've been following the league. Ben Strong and the improved play throughout the conference deserves partial credit. However, the variable that has driven our conference forward into the national spotlight the most has been the Marlins making back to back championship appearances and the heroics of Adair and Balenga. When I come across basketball fans that happen to know of the ODAC, these are the events and names I hear.
I'm not making this point to convince everyone to love Virginia Wesleyan. Rather, I would only hope that ODAC fans would respect the team. I would never route against an ODAC team in postseason play, let alone the team that has recently brought the conference further respect and notoriety. It's disappointing that other so-called ODAC fans can do so. I can assure you that the Virginia Wesleyan campus, students and faculty alike, would have been pulling for any ODAC teams in the coming weeks... thugs or not.
I guess conference loyalty isn't important to some. In some cases it doesn't even appear to be as important as loyalty to fun teams to watch. I don't agree but to each his own.
Here's to being an ODAC fan. Go GC and VWC!
I'm not making this point to convince everyone to love Virginia Wesleyan. Rather, I would only hope that ODAC fans would respect the team. I would never route against an ODAC team in postseason play, let alone the team that has recently brought the conference further respect and notoriety. It's disappointing that other so-called ODAC fans can do so. I can assure you that the Virginia Wesleyan campus, students and faculty alike, would have been pulling for any ODAC teams in the coming weeks... thugs or not.
I guess conference loyalty isn't important to some. In some cases it doesn't even appear to be as important as loyalty to fun teams to watch. I don't agree but to each his own.
Here's to being an ODAC fan. Go GC and VWC!