I hate the ideology behind the group -- the conformity and the American ideal of rooting for the home team.
I hate the way they carry out their purpose of being Carolina's fan base at every event -- by sitting on their butts and occasionally making a motion to cheer (don't be fooled, they're probably just heading up to take a leak or to get a snack at the concessions stand).
I hate their fakeness -- their supposed love for Carolina athletics, be it women's crew or men's golf, and yet their total apathy at most sporting events.
Most of all, I hate their policy -- signing in at a certain number of events so that they can be eligible for their allotted men's basketball tickets.
What is this club that scams 200 student tickets to men's basketball games? As defined in their mission statement, "Carolina Fever's purpose is to support all Tar Heel Athletic teams, including Olympic sports, as well as basketball and football." They must have to single out basketball because it is not an Olympic sport. Wait ...
The description of the club continues, stating "Typically, you may see us standing in a block all wearing the same T-shirt at the football and basketball games." Is it clear yet where the club's allegiance and focus lie? They even point out, as if to negate popular belief, "The lower level basketball seats are simply a reward for Fever members' participation, they are not the sole reason to be a part of Carolina Fever." Let's say it together -- riiiiight.
Carolina Fever is a division of the Carolina Athletics Association. Basically, Fever members are the embryos of the future Rams Club. They aspire, once they make their first million, to buy up all the plush seats in the Dean Dome's lower level and join the wine and cheese crowd that normal students abhor. These "super fans" want to become the crowd that leaves with four minutes still left in the game so they can easily access the restricted Rams Road behind Hinton James. (Special privileges are always welcome, if not expected, in the CAA family.)
It is perfectly acceptable if Carolina students have no desire to attend certain athletic events because they are busy with work and beer. However, if one is not interested, he should remain at home and not feign interest to acquire points and be eligible for men's basketball tickets later in the year. That is simply disgusting, hypocritical and unethical.
I think the men's basketball team is exciting despite its dismal record and performance this year. Most of us have grown up Carolina men's basketball fans. But when I want to see a men's basketball game, I go down to Kenan Stadium like every other student to get a bracelet and then wake my ass up at 6 a.m. on a Saturday to wait in line with everyone else for tickets. Maybe I'll get good seats, maybe not. In any case, I've endured one of the true Carolina student experiences.
