There is a difference between sports fans and spectators

While I was covering the Corbin Lady Redhounds’ state volleyball tournament game against Montgomery County, I noticed that there were fans and then there were spectators.

Almost everyone in Gilliam Gymnasium that night was cheering for Corbin or Montgomery County, except for the little boy who was more interested in rolling his truck around the floor in the upper section. In fairness, it was a cool truck.

In the section of bleachers right behind the Lady Redhounds’ bench was a sea of students, many of them fellow athletes, decked out in red.

And it wasn’t just red t-shirts.

There were red towels similar to the “Terrible Towels” that Pittsburgh Steelers’ fans wave.

At least one Redhound red wig appeared to be popular as it was adorned by different members of the crowd throughout the night.

And, for those of you who are fans of ESPN’s show, “Pardon the Interruption,” featuring Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon, there were giant photos of several of the players on sticks that the fans waved around.

“Hoops and dreams,” “football,” a letterman’s jacket belonging to a soccer player, “track and field,” and “basketball,” were just a few of the other sports displayed on the Corbin shirts indicating that these fans took the various field and courts on behalf of Corbin themselves.

But that night, it was all about Lady Redhounds’ Volleyball.

That group never sat down as Corbin and Montgomery County went back and forth for five sets.

They were there for every point, going wild for Corbin as the Lady Redhounds won the first and third sets and dropped the second and fourth sets, leading to the deciding fifth set.

Whitley County has a similar group that was in the upper deck behind the Lady Colonels’ bench during the 50^th District Tournament.

And they didn’t just show up in street clothes.

On that particular night, a group was decked out in pajamas of varying styles and prints.

In fairness to these groups of diehards, they were there throughout the regular season in some form or fashion.

Then there are spectators, who are just there.

I’m not sure exactly why since they don’t really seem much into the game.

They are either on their phone, or, at the very least, sitting on their hands.

No cheering or anything. Some are buried in their phone.

This part isn’t exclusive to volleyball. I have seen in at every sport, and, yes every school.

What gives?

These are your teams and your kids. They need to know that the community is behind them.

Make some noise! Let your team hear you!