At a time when our country, state and university are all undergoing many hotly contested transitions, springtime in Athens is certainly a breath of fresh air. This time of year, there is always one thing that grasps my attention — and while it is correlated to fest season, it is not fest season itself.
As a soon-to-be two-degree recipient of this institution, fest season always surprises me with something new. Giant block parties, tons of friends and squirt guns fascinate me; however, what truly clenches my attention is the always unpredictable, irregular and exceptional collection of sports jerseys worn around campus.
Where else can you go and in one weekend say you saw a Charles Barkley Phoenix Suns jersey, and across the street witnessed the wearing of an Alonzo Mourning Charlotte Hornets jersey?
I saw Pete Rose from the Cincinnati Reds having a conversation with Pete Rose from the Philadelphia Phillies.
A trip Uptown for a quick lunch led me to encounters with Larry Bird, Dr. J. and Isaiah Thomas.
This weekend, I felt like a Michael Jordan biographer as I saw him in his Laney High School years, North Carolina Tar Heel blue and variations of Chicago Bulls jerseys; as well as a Washington Wizards/retro Baltimore Bullets jersey.
While being impressed with the appearances of Muggsy Bogues, Deion Sanders and Vince Carter as a member of the Toronto Raptors, I have to say my personal favorite of the weekend was a Jeff Hornacek Utah Jazz jersey. It simply trumped all others. The man played third-wheel at best to John Stockton and Karl Malone for his whole career and still made an appearance at Mill Fest?
That’s variety, and imagination.
Others chose to garb their old high school jerseys, showing pride and affiliation. Originality is the key concept in the process of jersey choosing for fest season. After hearing whispers of duplication of my Barkley Phoenix Suns jersey, my jersey ego lost some of its “swag.”
Immediately, I scolded myself for not wearing another and began thinking about how to outmaneuver my next jersey battle. Kevin Durant Seattle Sonics throwback? Probably already thought of.
Point being, fest season may have its negative connotations and destructive ways, yet it is an original and unmatched celebration of our student body.
Individuality is shown through many avenues while spending time on this campus, and jersey bearing is one of them. Diversity, creativity and a sense of community are concepts mentioned in Ohio University’s mission — all of which also apply to jersey wearing during fest season.
It is one of the simple and easily observable reminders of why you came to school here: because OU in itself is truly original and unmatched.
Whether you don the garments of your high school, favorite college, beloved professional team or a ridiculously random athlete — have fun doing so, and do so respectfully during fest season.
You do not have to be a risk-taking, couch-burning, keg-standing attendee to make your contribution to fest season.
Want proof? Just ask MJ, Larry, Dr. J., or of course, Jeff Hornacek.
Adam Olsheski is a graduate student studying to be
a licensed intervention specialist.
