Sports fanatics create community

Sports are a big part of Aragon, from teachers who have an everlasting love for sports to outstanding student athletes. 

Physics teacher Steve Ratto is an avid fan of all sports but is especially fond of the San Francisco Giants. Ratto has had season tickets for around seven years.

“I look forward to seeing how [the Giants] improve,” Ratto said. “I like to see if my thought process is similar to their thought process, I like to see their approach and I always like to be entertained.” 

Sophomore Alex Nuñez is a fan of the Mexican soccer club C.D. Guadalajara, nicknamed the Chivas. 

“I started watching with my dad when I was about six but I really became interested after going to my first in person game,” Nuñez said.

The Chivas often play games in the San Jose Earthquakes stadium, opening up chances for Nuñez to watch them play live. 

“Even though I sometimes get to witness the Chivas win on TV, I am really looking forward to when they win a game that I watch in person,” Nuñez said. 

“Sports give me a chance to hang out with some teachers from the other side of the school that I don’t see too often because we’re very far apart”

With the unpredictability of sports games, fans may not always have the best experience rooting for their favorite team, especially when the team performs poorly. 

“Emotionally, it’s been high and low but mostly low,” Nuñez said. “I don’t mind that the team isn’t very competitive because I get most of the enjoyment from watching the games.”

Being a sports fan allows Ratto to identify with others on campus who share a love for sports. 

“Sports give me a chance to hang out with some teachers from the other side of the school that I don’t see too often because we’re very far apart,” Ratto said. “It’s nice to get to know the other teachers outside of our work environment.”

Many students also attend sporting events with others, creating memories and friendships through sports. 

“I have a good friend who is also a Chivas fan but before we started watching soccer with each other, we weren’t very close,” Nuñez said. “We’ve become closer friends since starting to go to games together.”

However, history teacher Scott BonDurant doesn’t feel the same way, as most people at Aragon root for the local Golden State Warriors rather than his favorite team—the Sacramento Kings.

“I’m surrounded by Warriors fans,” BonDurant said. “However, since I am also a Giants fan, I can catch a break and talk to some teachers about baseball.

Sports extend beyond mere entertainment, often influencing one’s identity. Not only does being a fan of a certain team allow a person to experience  the emotions of victory and defeat, but also the opportunity to make connections and build friendships with similar minded fans around campus.