Bradford Reszel, 134 TESS
Being a sports fan is not easy. To have your emotions pulled to and fro by the way college students or professional game players perform does not always lead to the greatest character moments. At the same time, sports have brought me, and countless others, moments of triumph and feelings of elation that rival even personal accomplishments.
As an American, I feel sports are ingrained in the fabric of our society. Obviously an individual does not have to participate or be a fan of a particular sport or team; however, one cannot escape the marketing and sensationalism of American sports teams and players. Personally, I am a team loyalist through and through. My teams – yes, there is a sense of ownership and belonging there – are the ones I will stay with throughout life with little chance of changing allegiances. While my sphere of teams could grow, it is inconceivable for me to drop them (even if their poor play and mismanagement should justify just that).
All that said, coming to Thailand as a Peace Corps volunteer gave me an opportunity to let my sports fandom lower in its priority. I am here to serve, teach, learn, grow, follow, and lead. How could I also keep up with Major League Baseball, NCAA softball/baseball, the US Women’s National Team in the World Cup, the NBA, NHL, WNBA, and NCAA Football and Basketball (just to name a few of the leagues I have interest in)? During training, I was able to adopt a decent distance, but now with baseball season gearing up for playoff season, football (both pro and college) starting, and other leagues in the midst of preparation for upcoming seasons, I find myself with the same itch as if I was home.
Technology, in all its forms and uses, helps the Volunteer Sports Fan as much as it helps the Volunteer Teacher. While the timing is off (think, 12 pm kickoff means 12 am here in Thailand), I am still able to watch highlights, read recaps, and converse with other fans.
All of that is wonderful; and, it brings out a realization that all of my fandom at home, which feels so communal, is condensed down to just me here. At site, none of my students wear jerseys I recognize and when asked about sports players they know, we share almost none of the same knowledge. In fact, the sports most popular in Thailand are not really represented in my own interests or experience. Muay Thai, a form of boxing, is very popular here and will be watched intensely in next year’s Summer Olympics. Volleyball is closely observed by my host mother who watches matches from around the world and knows players not only from Thailand and surrounding countries but also Brazil, America, Canada, and Poland. Takraw, a mix of volleyball, badminton, and hacky sack, is fascinating to watch and difficult to play! My counterpart teacher played for the national handball team as a teenager and into his college career; a sport I only played in gym class in high school. Finally, soccer is dominant here just like most places in the world.
As a fan, it is fun to be immersed in a culture with its own sporting traditions and customs. I only hope to learn more about them as we continue service while also staying loyal to my teams back home. Using sports as a way to communicate is also an invaluable connection to my students and I am appreciative to have my life of fandom translate in some small way to my volunteer experience.
Sticky Rice 