Dad’s Club Softball was my introduction to organized athletics. I was in the fourth grade and happened to get on the team who had the “meanest” coach. I had never thrown a softball. I didn’t even have my own glove. I was scared. I kicked my chicken-wing rainbow throw by the third week of practice. I was a catcher who picked up the ball after it hit the backstop, but my skills eventually developed and by the next season I was our star first baseman.

But other than my career as a St. Paul’s Panther, it wasn’t until I got to high school when sports really counted with me. In junior high, the only reason I went to football games was so I could see my friends who lived too far away to visit by bike or on foot. I also had a brief basketball career in ninth grade. We had to make 10 consecutive free throws before we could leave. I left last every time. I broke my arm halfway through the season. Needless to say, I did not miss the team nor did the team miss my ability.

High school was the beginning of a new era. I became an athlete. By the end of my time there, I had been involved with nearly every sport in one way or another. I managed the swim team, played soccer, ran track and cross country and cheered for the football, basketball and wrestling teams. And unlike my freshman basketball days, I was actually a runner the track and cross country teams were glad to have. I also did some things with the golf page in the yearbook and I even marched in the band.

But those days are gone, and now by definition I am no athlete at all. My hours of running, playing catch and playing frisbee are all my own. My Olympic dreams include me on the side watching the world’s best and then interviewing them after. And nowadays, I think I finally appreciate athletics and am a true athletic supporter.

Why do I appreciate athletics? Because I remember what it is like to be a part of the big sheebang. But not just that. I appreciate athletics because I’ve watched college athletes build their lives around their sports. I admire the skills they have (and I don’t) and the way they make the game look easy. I admire their commitment. They arrange their days, schedules, weekends, vacations, holidays and other habits to become better athletes.

Note: some people say that athletes receive too much love from universities. Unfortunately, this is sometimes true. I have witnessed some who take what they have been given for granted. But the majority of a people on a team earn the scholarship (if any) they receive. If they screw off, they kiss their gray sweatsuits and Cyclone dollars goodbye.

Athletes do what they do because they love it, and because Americans love what they’re doing.

Everyone is a potential athletic supporter. Someday your kid, your boyfriend or your dog will be involved in something. And the your love for them will make you scream and make whooping noises to support them in a competition.

I am a supporter because I have played and because I know people who compete. I am not special (other than the fact that I share a raincoat with Drew) in this way because I know many other people watch any sport shown on television.

I ask you to support ALL Cyclone athletes. If you won’t do it when football and basketball are playing at home or on television, please do it when they’re not. All athletes need support, especially at the university level. What’s more, often times you can watch these sports for free. Also, please support your sports editors. We need it too.

Amanda Fier is a senior in journalism and mass communication.