In my many years of experience as a spectator, a coach, and a player, I have found many ways sports can act as a strong agent to build communities. Here are some of the avenues I have had direct participation in with sports community building, including the following, but not limited to:
- As a coach of Little League baseball for my youngest son’s teams, I began at our community’s YMCA and later moved up to Commerce Little League, which Little League International charters, the governing body for youth baseball leagues worldwide.
- As a starting shortstop for my high school’s varsity softball team, a Division 1 school in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).
- In a group of fans who go to sporting events via shuttles to downtown Detroit
- As a fan of Detroit sports teams, I’m particularly fond of the Major League Baseball (MLB) team Detroit Tigers, the National Football League (NFL) team Detroit Lions, the National Hockey League (NHL) team Detroit Red Wings, and the National Basketball Association team Detroit Pistons.
- As a proud parent, fan, and team sponsor of my oldest son’s basketball team at our community’s YMCA
By participating in one’s community sports programs, whether as a player, coach, sponsor, or fan, a sense of community is built and shared among members. Below are key factors in how sports can build stronger social bonds:
- Common goals
- Shared passion
- Universal language
- Teamwork
- Collaboration
- Break down barriers of division
- Community/school/state pride
- Fosters positive social outcomes (most of the time!)
- Life lessons
- Increased belonging
Let’s see what the experts have to say.
According to Wellbeing at GMU (George Mason University), their research showed that, “Sporting events provide a unique communal experience that taps into our need for social connection. When we strongly identify with our favorite teams, we often feel a greater sense of belonging, which boosts our excitement and emotional investment in games. This sense of belonging fosters emotional connections and psychological well-being.
Sports serve as a social catalyst, bringing us together in various settings such as stadiums, sports bars, or living rooms to share the experience of watching a game. In today’s digital age, social media platforms have amplified this connectivity, allowing fans to interact in real-time, discussing plays, celebrating victories, or commiserating over losses…
Being part of a sports community allows us to celebrate victories or find solace in collective disappointment, reinforcing inclusion and mutual support, according to research. Beyond social connectivity, sports fandom offers psychological benefits. It can serve as a form of escapism, allowing us to temporarily disconnect from daily stressors and immerse ourselves in the excitement of the game. The shared experiences within the fan community promote positive mental health and well-being…
Sports teams provide an avenue for satisfying this need, creating a sense of community and identity. For example, the chants of “U-S-A” that fill the air during the Olympics or the deep-rooted loyalties of local sports fans showcase how these connections can enhance self-esteem and a sense of belonging,”.
As a University of Michigan fan and alumnus, I adore when our fight song comes on and we know immediately who is on our side, as they will join in on the chanting and singing “Hail to the Victors!”
On the flip side of that, I remember when the Lions were doing poorly in the early 1980s, and sadly, the song “Another One Bites the Dust” was our theme song. Not good times.
What impact do sports events have on communities?
When speaking of professional sports teams and their stadiums or arenas, we know that these events bring in large sums of tax revenue to the community. However, even beyond that, the tourism industry in these communities increases substantially, especially if the sports team is doing well. Add a team that goes to the playoffs, and you’ve got a huge sense of community pride, cultural heritage, and major financial gains for all the businesses in or around the city, as well as the state it serves.
Let’s look at some of the potential businesses that are supported by sports teams.
- Parking lot owners
- Shuttle businesses
- Restaurants
- Bars (like the historic Nemo’s on Michigan Avenue and Trumble, kiddy corner from where Tiger Stadium used to be)
- Hotels, AirBnbs, Verbos, etc.
- Other local attractions include museums, zoos, aquariums, parks, and historical sites such as Motown Records, etc.
- Buses and transportation companies
- RV rentals
- Grocery stores (for tailgating)
- Musicians
- Advertising industry
- Media outlets from advertising dollars
- Local TV and radio broadcasting
The list could go on forever!
Why do people love to watch sports psychology
I enjoy watching sports because I also enjoy playing them. As a little girl and well into my forties, I loved to play baseball, football, hockey, and volleyball, until I could no longer handle injuries and come back from them in one piece.
The American Psychological Association cites findings from a university professor who teaches this subject, who reports that, “The most straightforward answer is that people are fans because it helps them meet these basic psychological needs. It’s not the only way that they can meet these needs, but things like belongingness and the need for the distinction and the need for structure and the need for meaning in life, fandom is well suited to help meet those types of needs.
The study that we’re starting now that will begin this fall is now that we know that fans engage in these acts to try and influence, we’re now asking them, which ones do you think work best? We know what they do now we’d like to know. Okay, so pitchers have their go-to pitch, point guards have their go-to move. We want to know what the fans’ go-to active influence is when it’s really close. Right? When it’s really close, do you cuss or do you pray or do you rub your lucky rabbit’s foot? That’s what we’re after,”.
Speaking of silly tactics, when I was a little girl, I used to wear a lucky rabbit’s foot on the back of my baseball cap (ha, ha). Today, I will wear my lucky t-shirts, flaunt some swag, or flip my baseball cap inside out to help my favorite team win. Not sure if it works or not, but I won’t stop trying, that is for certain!
Sports as community building
In conclusion, whether you are a fan, a coach, an armchair quarterback, or an actual player, team sports have a keen knack for bringing a sense of community to all those involved.
Rah, rah – go team!