Indiana University Athletics
Spirit Unbound: Thoughts from the Big Ten Championship
2/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
February 23, 2002
Spirit Unbound: The 2002 Big Ten Championship
These are the thoughts from an observer straight from the 2002 Big Ten Women's Swimming & Diving Championship in Ann Arbor, Mich.
The 2002 Big Ten Women's Swimming and Diving Championship in Ann Arbor, Mich. has taught me some things that I never knew about the sport of swimming and the people involved.
Some may or may not know what this meet means to these schools, but a few visual thoughts may assist.
Being an observer, I must say that this has got to be one of the most exciting events to ever be in attendance at. It is four days of nothing but swimming for the ladies and coaching for the coaches.
When entering the pool for the day of swimming, one will encounter some things that they may not see at other events.
For instance, coming into the Friday finals session of this season's championship, I saw Ohio State, not even out of their jackets yet, gathered in a team huddle chanting away as loud as can be. That image sticks with any person in attendance, and the competition hasn't even begun yet.
When the competition gets set to begin, the teams gather at their benches and the crowd, which is filling the stands with a sea of cream and crimson, maize and blue, scarlet and silver, old gold and black, burnt orange and blue, red and white, purple and white, gold and black, blue and white, maroon and gold as well as green and white, is going nuts with specific chants for each school. The noise is deafening, but it is wonderful.
The school spirit is unbelievable from all participants and spectators. You hear "I-L-L-I-N-I", "We are Penn State" and "Let's Go Hoosiers" from all over the building. The aura surrounding this event is of epic proportions. Then the competition starts.
As the ladies are swimming, you hear coaches, teammates and parents alike screaming at the top of their lungs for their child, competitor and teammate to win. Whistling, yelling and many other things occur when a swimmer is competing, but one thing stays the same the environment. It never changes. Win, lose or tie, the spirit is always there.
When the starter calls the ladies to the block and tells them to take their mark but pulls up to get everyone a fair chance, people affectionately cheer. When a swimmer competes in two successive events and is exhausted, people still cheer as loud as they can.
Sure, a sold out Assembly Hall with 17,000 strong is loud, but try to imagine a pool full of people screaming with all of their mights until they are hoarse. It is not that difficult when you attend something like this.
The entire point of this is to show that the spirit, affection and excitement is at an absolute high. Win or lose their are truly no losers for attending or competing in this event. Everyone at the event loves to swim and I, who knew little about swimming and diving and those involved, now have a respect for the sport like never before. The Olympics show you how it is at the highest level, but at the NCAA level, the pride is just as strong.
Thank you to those involved for opening the mind of a person that knew about the four major sports, but not much about the sport of swimming. Also, a thank you must go to those who sent me here because this is something that will forever live in my memory. Good luck and go hoosiers.
