The final buzzer & horn air off in the distance, declaring the winner… a little thought in the back of your mind rears its head. You begin to think to yourself, “What happens now that the season is all over?”
No matter what sport you watch, or from where you watch it, there are always off-seasons, and you may ask, “What’s an off-season?” An off-season is when a sport you watch is over, and those players/teams begin to have their vacation time, a time for them to condition their bodies, as well. Your favorite teams and star players may be disbanded or built up during this time, as their names grow in their respective sports. A lot of new players may be coming out of college, too, preparing for the drafts, a time when a lot of kids’ dreams come to fruition.
I remember on draft night, I just wanted to be picked in the NBA.
Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks point/shooting guard, reflecting on his memorable draft night. Via:brainyquote.com
The best part of off-season is not only for the athletes, but also for the fans to prepare for the season. Some fans may need therapy for some lost hope in their teams and the hair-pulling stress it brings, and some may even switch and root for a different team. Others get ready for the season by buying new gear, keeping up-to-date with their teams latest pick-ups/drop-offs and strategically deciding which players to pick up for their fantasy teams.
Fantasy teams are a great way to stay immersed in the season and a fun way to watch all games throughout the season. These are set up in a ten-team bracket, and each person picks their desired players to compete head-to-head against other competitors (friends), eventually crowning a winner with the best record. A lot of these leagues are set up with friends and have fun twists in them. For example, the person with the lowest record has to do a dare, set up by the other friends in the league.
Fans are constantly coming up with fun ways to experience the off-season, even tailgating at spring practices to see their favorites players, making memories with family. These times not only build up the teams’ camaraderie, but they also open up bonding experiences among fathers, sons and friends, solidifying those core memories for years to come. Some may even spark rivalries among friend groups, or between couples, where having rival teams is a common thing in sports lovers. No matter where you may find love or tension in the sport, it always allows for a sense of family and belonging all throughout the year, in season or during the off-season.
No matter the sport, the off-season will have fans and players alike holding their breath and crossing their fingers, as anything can happen during this time. Big names may leave or stay, and others may be introduced to bigger contracts, as lingering legends of the sport will retire, letting the young bucks have a shot.
Some of the most notable and definitely unexpected moves recently in the sports world involved coaches rather than players. Three big names have recently hit headlines, two of those retirements. Legendary former head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Nick Saban, and former head coach of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick. The third name is College National Championship winner and former head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, Jim Harbaugh, who has now taken a head coaching job in the big leagues for the Los Angeles Chargers.
It was a hard decision. I love coaching. I love the relationship with the players, But at the same time, I felt like I could have done a better job if I was younger.
former Head Coach, Nick Saban, on his decision to retire. Via:Yahoosports.com
That’s the beauty of sports, they may leave you with a feeling of loss like a faltering relationship, but they always have you coming back for more. They always give you something to look for, whether it be the big game, big news or even that special Christmas/birthday gift in the form of tickets. It’s almost like we’re playing the sports with our teams, going through the highs and lows. Here at Cherokee High School, we say, “Go cheer on your team OR pull your hair out, but keep that sense of hope and camaraderie alive!”
