corysold Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Any ideas? I got spoiled last year, loving and not having to see a loss until Alabama. That's might have been bad though for my psyche. In the prior years, I didn't have to worry about it, most seasons were 6-8 wins and 10 was a surprise. I wasn't old enough in '88-'93 to really appreciate what was happening. So how do you love ND, expect them to win 10+ games, but not be so disappointed in losses? I loved watching games this weekend. Georgia/S Carolina, Packers/Niners were awesome games to watch since I didn't have rooting interest, only wanted a good game. ND/Michigan was probably a good game for a casual fan to watch, bu I hated most every minute of it. Is I possible to love Notre Dame, but not have it ruin your weekend if they lose? Now, it didn't totally ruin my weekend, I've had recent events change my perspective, by it did make a difference. I need to try and change that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parseghians theorem Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 (edited) cory. after wanting an undefeated season so bad and getting one last year, I realized it didnt change my life one iota. it was enjoyable, but I also realized there are also other things that make me happy. strive to find fulfilment in oher areas of life. dont put your emotional well being in the hands of college-aged kids. say dangit if someone misses a throw. or drops a pass. but dont be the guy to call the kids a bad name. they are real people. and when you spend a week with them and the coaches at fantasy camp (i did this year) you learn that. you are always going to watch the games. you warch when they lose. you watch when they go 12-0. the enjoyment is watching. enjoying the ride. winning is the cherry on top. if they lose, yeah, you can be bummed. but dont let it ruin your night or weekend. I can myself a ND supporter. not a fan. I support the team and guys no matter what. GO irish! Edited September 9, 2013 by Parseghian's theorem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97domer Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 My approach has changed since having kids and it's made it so much more fun to be a fan of ND. I let my passion fly as much as possible during the games in such a way that it sets a good example for my 7 year old. Praise the good and allow myself to get frustrated by the bad while never calling out a singular player. If we win, I let myself enjoy the victory and put me in a good mood. If we lose, I turn it off the minute the game is over and move on with life. If I struggle with the loss and it lingers for more than 2 minutes, I go throw the football outside with my son or find some other way to reflect on how little sports means in the grand scheme of life. It all goes back to the USC / Bush-Push game. I was rocked for an entire week+ and felt like someone had actually punched me in the gut. When I snapped out of my stupor, I came to the realization that sports should never, EVER have that much of a negative impact on my mood. If watching or participating in sports isn't fun for me (even in a loss), then I need to find a different past-time. Go Irish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddrhodes Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Easiest first step? Don't come here - or any ND-related site - after a loss. It's more infuriating than watching the team actually lose IMO. As was said above, these kids are real people and, again, are just kids. There is so much negativity thrown around the Interner that it's a wonder they aren't basketcases though I'm sure they don't have time to be reading web forums. I always try to post like any player could read what I said. Criticism is one thing, but I have seen some hateful tirades out there in the past and it's embarrassing. Edited to not point the finger solely at DD. Fact is this is one of the more level-headed spots on the web for Irish football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishmike Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 this is a great thread BTW. I struggle with this everytime ND loses. But after reading these post i am going to make it a point to TRY and stop and think after a loss that in the grand scheme of things it doesnt matter. ND is the only sports team I care about and always will until im in the grave. There will be some amazing years and some terrible ones but thats the way she goes in sports. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corysold Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 this is a great thread BTW. I struggle with this everytime ND loses. But after reading these post i am going to make it a point to TRY and stop and think after a loss that in the grand scheme of things it doesnt matter. ND is the only sports team I care about and always will until im in the grave. There will be some amazing years and some terrible ones but thats the way she goes in sports. That is where I am. ND football is really the only team I watch. I watch other sports, but only follow ND if that makes sense. As I said, this never used to be a problem. I started my fandom towards the end of Holtz, so I never really "expected" to have great teams. I was conditioned to 6-8 wins, anything more than that was a bonus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishmike Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 i understand completely, My brother and I have watched religiously for years now i love SPORTS but only care about ND football! We have put up with some miserable years but we still loved it then because of many reasons. Last year was magical, HAPPy every Saturday. Life was good! But then I stopped and think life was already good, winning ND football just makes it better...somehow....LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NDBadaBing Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 It really is, just a game. So enjoy it. Age and having kids helps. But so does eliminating the hate for the opponent. And always try to employ the 24 hour rule of enjoying a win or suffering a loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parseghians theorem Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 It really is, just a game. So enjoy it. Age and having kids helps. But so does eliminating the hate for the opponent. And always try to employ the 24 hour rule of enjoying a win or suffering a loss. well hey, enjoy the wins as long as you want. haha :grin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratey Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Any ideas? I got spoiled last year, loving and not having to see a loss until Alabama. That's might have been bad though for my psyche. In the prior years, I didn't have to worry about it, most seasons were 6-8 wins and 10 was a surprise. I wasn't old enough in '88-'93 to really appreciate what was happening. So how do you love ND, expect them to win 10+ games, but not be so disappointed in losses? I loved watching games this weekend. Georgia/S Carolina, Packers/Niners were awesome games to watch since I didn't have rooting interest, only wanted a good game. ND/Michigan was probably a good game for a casual fan to watch, bu I hated most every minute of it. Is I possible to love Notre Dame, but not have it ruin your weekend if they lose? Now, it didn't totally ruin my weekend, I've had recent events change my perspective, by it did make a difference. I need to try and change that. People diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder typically avoid taking medication for it. The reason being that while it prevents them from getting the really lows, it also prevents the really highs. If you lose the passion and the hatred of losing, you'll conversely lose the passion and enjoyment of winning. You can't have one without the other. If you try to distance yourself from the losses, you'll find it harder to enjoy the wins. (Coming from an apathetic Detroit Lions fan, I find wins tough to truly enjoy) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocketsan Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 I know this is a toughy in light of recent events, but kids will definitely change your perspective on this. I felt the exact same way you did until my daughter came a long. Here's hoping God blesses you with future opportunities... Second thing is...now the heat is off. We've got a loss so pressure is off this year. Perfection is not possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd1baby Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Can't have the sweet without the bitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TulsaIrish Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 The only thing keeping me calm is the fact that my wife gave birth to our first boy on friday, however i dont know about it keeping me calm the rest of the season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinKSU Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Seeing Notre Dame make a BCS Championship game — even though they lost — completely changed my view and approach towards ND football and college football in general. Instead of lighting an even more obsessive fire in me after the loss, it actually made me realize that there's so much more out there other than obsessing over ND football. There is so much more to life than some stupid football game I have no control over. Go figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parseghians theorem Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 The only thing keeping me calm is the fact that my wife gave birth to our first boy on friday, however i dont know about it keeping me calm the rest of the season congrats!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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