OK, I'll admit it. I'm a football guy. I live and die by the pigskin. I guess I had no choice, growing up in snowy Buffalo. Everything there revolves around football.
When a brutal snowstorm strikes (which happens more often than not) and the Bills lose (also more often than not), there isn't any talk of the four feet of snow piled up outside and the 18 families stranded inside their homes. Instead, it's "Could you believe that $%$# call on fourth down?"
I mention that because in my third year at Penn State, I've finally realized that State College is the same way. If the Nittany Lions win a big game (Nebraska, 2002) you can expect a week long Mardi Gras. But if the Lions lose a big game (think every contest since Nebraska), well, it's only a typical four-day weekend. But you can feel the frustration and disappointment all over campus. Everyone suffers.
To quote Jerry Seinfeld, "Not that there's anything wrong with that!" It's great to be passionate about your favorite football team. I strongly encourage it. But from one football freak to another, I've got some news for you: There are other sports out there. And on this campus, some rather good ones as well.
Now I'm not telling you to stop watching Penn State football, or any football for that matter. Don't throw out that Austin Scott banner just yet.
However, I am asking you to check out a different sporting event on campus. Just once. And if you don't like it, then go back and watch some more football. At least you tried.
I say this because I had an epiphany last week. One month into football season, the two most exciting games that I've watched have had absolutely nothing to do with pigskin. That's never happened to me before.
You're probably thinking, "Enough already genius, I get it. I've read this type of column a million times."
But here's where the beauty of the deal comes. Watching other Penn State teams succeed can actually take away some of the pain of a long and agonizing football season. We can use all the help we can get.
Take the men's soccer team for example. They're ranked third in the country. They lost their first game of the year to Indiana, 2-1 on Saturday. The Hoosiers happen to be the defending national champions.
I was thrilled to see over 4,000 fellow fans cheering on the Lions, which was the team's largest crowd in 10 years.
Maybe some folks are catching on after all.
Next, let's look at the women's volleyball team. Even though the No. 4 ranked Lions lost to No. 1 Minnesota Saturday, the event made Big Ten history. It was the highest matchup ever between the top two teams in the conference. The game was a little closer than the football contest between the same two schools at that time Saturday night.
Last, but not least, is the Penn State field hockey team. Raise your hand if you've ever seen a field hockey game ... still waiting ...
A month ago I would have answered the same way. When I found out I was going to be a field hockey reporter this fall, I honestly didn't know what I was in for.
Needless to say, I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. I've learned that field hockey is a lot like ice hockey with a little soccer strategy thrown in there, and it's pretty darn exciting. Better yet for NHL fans, there's no neutral zone trap. Penn State's overtime victory against Princeton last week was by far the most exciting Penn State sporting event that I've watched this fall.
Knowing that over 50 percent of the students reading the sports section are likely males, I'll make my final point quickly. Would you rather spend your time watching other guys or girls in short skirts?
I don't know how many times I've been asked by one of the other sportswriters to write a piece on field hockey's Chase Bacon. My response? Watch Natalie Berrena. Not only is the redshirt junior easy on the eyes, but she can really play. After missing most of last week's practices with a sprained knee, Berrena was instrumental in Penn State's victory over Indiana Saturday, keeping the Lions undefeated in Big Ten play. The forward was all over the Hoosier defense and drew a foul to set up Penn State's only goal of the game.
So if you find yourself sulking over the woes of JoePa and the gang, feel free to try my other-sport therapy. Don't worry, you can still catch the day's football highlights on Sportscenter. I promise.
