Blog #100: Why My Teams?

CoachDay
Apr 20
6 min read

A few months ago, I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to write for Barstool Breakdown. As a lifelong sports maniac, getting the chance to share my thoughts, opinions, and fandoms daily with an audience has been amazing.

Now with blog #100, I’m doing something a little different, maybe you could say even a bit more personal. Still sports-related, of course, but today it’s about my teams and players... and why they’re mine. So today might not be as Barstool-centric, informative, or focused on what’s buzzing in the sports world like I usually aim for. I figured shoot, why not make blog 100 about me? I’ve never really added too much personal touch. Sure, I’ve covered some of my favorite teams and players before, but never dove into the why them part, just really covering them as my teams.

HUGE disclaimer before you shun me forever: I have and will always be more of a college sports guy. It is what it is.

Let’s start with the leagues where I’m a fan of the sport, but don’t have a true team..for different reasons.

NBA

I grew up in Arizona, and when I think back on the roots of my sports obsession, it starts with the Phoenix Suns. I was crazy for the orange and purple. I grew up in the golden age of the franchise, watching Steve Nash, Shawn Marion, Amar’e Stoudemire, Devin Booker, Boris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa, Joe Johnson, and more.

I mean guys I'm telling ya I was die freakin' hard even through the very down years. All until post-Bubble. After a great run in the NBA Bubble, they gutted the squad yet again ugh and I had ENOUGH. I legit just swore off the Suns for good and haven’t returned, not even for the Finals run, I just lost the love, let go. You’re probably asking, “Dude, why? Or how??” I really just lost it. I've tried to find a new NBA love in the Thunder or Pacers, who I keep tabs on... but overall, I just shifted fully into college basketball.

NFL

I know, I know...I’m losing the audience now. How do I not have an NFL team?! What kind of sports fan am I, right? Go ahead, roast me, I can take it. But here’s the thing in Arizona the Cardinals had no appeal for a kid growing up. Lame jerseys, horrible results, no pop, no pizazz. So for me, it was always about following the dudes I loved in college. Josh Allen made me a huge Bills guy the past few years, and Bo Nix might just keep me locked in on the Broncos.

It’s unconventional... many have told me even downright disgusting, sure I agree you are entittled to that opinion, but we all have our quirks. No gatekeeping fandoms here, lets all be for who we want. This ain’t that kind of blog.

Now into the meat of my fandoms.

MLB – Arizona Diamondbacks

No tiers needed here, boys. Became a team in '98, and as a 7-year-old, I was hooked from day one. Before that, it was the Mariners a bit well because, duh, Ken Griffey Jr. but once the Dbacks arrived, they were mine ALL mine.

They’ve given me my one team championship in 2001, spoiling my ideas of sports, I thought wow 3 years in, this winning shit is easy. Yes, but except for 2023 it's been quiet rough. I DON'T CARE! From Tony Womack to Brandon Webb, Stephen Drew to Paul Goldschmidt, Randy Johnson to Corbin Carroll, I’ve been along for the ride. This team is top-tier must-see for me, always & forever.

NHL – Seattle Kraken

Okay, this one might raise eyebrows. Yes, I became a fan of this team at age 30. But there are reasons, soo chill out!

I got into hockey late, my mid-20s to be more exact. I started by rooting for the Capitals (my cousin's lifelong squad) and fell in love with TJ Oshie. But as hockey pulled me in deeper, I needed my own team own identity. I didn’t want to bandwagon, and the Coyotes... well, let’s just say I dodged a bullet there. Then my wife took a travel nursing job in Seattle right before the Expansion Draft. I took it as a sign. Since that day, it’s been Kraken or die. Like the Dbacks, it feels real and genuine. I’m in on the ground floor (though we might still be there). The youth charge is coming, and Joey Daccord is the guy. Soon, Krakheads... soon.

College Sports Time!

College Football

Notre Dame

BIG GAP!!!

Washington Huskies

So, I didn’t go to a big sports school (shoutout Ottawa University), so no alma mater loyalties. My family’s team has always been Arizona State, and I’ve got some love for the Sun Devils (Jake Plummer, Pat Tillman, Terrell Suggs… legends).

Also gotta give a nod to TCU. That love started way back with EA NCAA Football and just stuck. Who doesn’t love LaDainian Tomlinson, Andy Dalton, or Max Duggan? Fun unis, fun underdog.

My #2? The Washington Huskies. There’s a theme building with Washington teams, I know. I don’t have a logical reason... it’s just there, so roll with it, remember no gatekeepin. I’ve always been drawn to them. I even got to watch a game in person at Husky Stadium this past year! How can you not love Dubs as well?! From Jake Locker to Byron Murphy Jr., and now Demond Williams, an AZ kid I watched in high school. (Perks of coaching in AZ.)

But nothing compares to what Notre Dame does to me.

As a 7-year-old, they came to Sun Devil Stadium (yup, remember...my family’s team), and this kid got HOOKED. I became a Fighting Irish fan during arguably the worst era of the program. But those golden domes? They had me. Signs of a true fan I stuck with them through it all, and I'm telling ya it was bad in the beginning.

I've watched every game I can, every Saturday on NBC. I’ve been there through the no New Year’s Six wins, coaching carousel, and heartbreak after heartbreak. Still, I believe the national championship is coming. When it does, I’ll still remember Brady Quinn, Tom Zbikowski, Ryan Grant, and so many others. Win or lose, the memories have been everything. The tradition and uniqueness to the Irish drew me, and has kept me more than hooked. I need to see them at home so soon! That is top on the bucket list of sports moments.

College Basketball

Gonzaga Bulldogs

HUGE GAP!!!!

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

I’m still a big Notre Dame fan in hoops too, but my #1 without a doubt...is Gonzaga.

My actual dog is named Gonzaga, I think that is hard clean evidence. (Zag!)

Since their very first Cinderella run, my mood from November to March has lived and died with Zags basketball. I’ve only missed games if I was playing or coaching myself. This past winter, I finally got to go to a game at The Kennel, an experience all worth the wait. It did not disappoint one damn bit, and to be able to go with my wife was the chefs kiss to the whole thing. I’ve also seen them on the road countless times. Sometimes, the only reason I watch the NBA is to see former Zags.

This team is my heart and soul. Two national title runner-ups. Countless legends: Chet Holmgren, Drew Timme, Adam Morrison, Dan Dickau, Corey Kispert, Matt Bouldin, Ryan and Andrew Nembhard. They’ve fueled my undying love for basketball. Like Notre Dame football.. I believe a title is coming.

Whew. There it is. The teams that keep this guy watching sports day in and day out.

Maybe this wasn’t the most exciting, witty, or news-breaking blog I’ve done—but it’s one I’ve wanted to do. A tribute to the teams that fuel my love for sports and somehow help me crank out a blog nearly every day about whatever is poppin’ in the sports world.

Oh, and for those still here, here’s my true fan power rankings, no matter the sport:

Gonzaga Bulldogs
Arizona Diamondbacks
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Seattle Kraken
Golf (didn’t go into players, but… Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland, Will Zalatoris, and Max Homa if you needa know)