Duck Fans Are Taking Sides: So What Is The Definition Of a "True" Fan

The Ernie Kent debate is getting hot...really hot! If you haven't already read the article or seen the video about "Fan Burns UO Season Tickets", then let me catch you up real quick. Tom Sotelo is a season ticket holder for Duck hoops and he is angry at their level of play this season. In fact, he's so angry that he put his remaining season tickets in his fireplace to burn. You can watch the video on KEZI.com or YouTube.com. 

Naturally Tom's burning of Duck basketball tickets is eliciting some pretty strong reactions about what kind of Duck fan he really is. Some comments on the KEZI website claim that he is a fair weather fan and not a "true" fan. I couldn't disagree more. Since there are polarizing opinions on what a "true" fan really is, I thought I would give my opinion and ask yours.

A "True" Fan by Jeff Roberts

A "true" fan does root hard for their team and never, ever changes allegiance. A "true" fan does stay a fan through the good years and through the bad ones. They do not stop being a fan just because their team is losing. A "true" fan does insist that their team is provided with a competent coach and when things get really, really bad, a "true" fan does speak up and demand more! A "true" fan does not pretend like everything is okay when their team is falling to pieces. A "true" fan does not make excuses for their team when there are no excuses. A "true" fan has every right to burn their season tickets in protest when they feel like their team has given up and that major changes need to be made.

I don't know Tom personally, but I believe that he is a "true" Duck fan. I thank him for having the guts to make a stand and bring attention to something that needs to be remedied. He has every right to boycott his team in the name of a good cause before he will invest his hard earned money and valuable time again. I believe that Tom will still root and follow the Ducks and he will be one of the first to buy tickets again when Mike Bellotti fixes our coaching issue; and if that new coach ends up dragging the team down like Ernie is doing, then Tom will make a stand again!

I didn't buy Duck tickets this season, but I will still root and follow them. I will watch each game on TV. Shoot, I've been a Raiders fan my entire life and I still watch and root for them if they're on. However, I wouldn't invest one penny in that team until Al Davis sells, retires or passes on. Similarly, I won't invest another cent in the Duck basketball program until Ernie is no longer the head coach. How else will the athletic department get the point? As long as you keep allowing them to feel like they have your support, where's the incentive for them to make the necessary changes to bring respectability back to Duck hoops?