Sports > September 18, 2008

By Steven Johns | Staff writer

On Saturdays the Screamin’ Demons black out the student section and cheer for thier Deacs. Wake Forest, however, has been infiltrated by a multitude of other universities. As I walk through campus I can’t help but notice the amount of schools represented on students’ shirts and hats.

When I sat down to watch college football I found myself next to an Ohio State Buckeyes jersey. In the Bostwick lounge I was seeing a jersey of another university.

I can understand if somebody wants to cheer for one school over another, but there is no need to dawn a jersey of that school.

Maybe that person was a fan of Ohio State, but she’s at Wake Forest now. She is not in Ohio anymore so there is no reason to wear an Ohio State jersey. If you’re going to wear a college jersey, make it a Wake jersey or nothing.

If you thought that was bad the following is worse. I have witnessed fellow Wake Forest University students bear the colors of our rivals. The putrid baby blue of the Tar Heels and the navy blue of the Blue Devils is worn too often around campus.

This is taking it too far. There is no reason for anyone on campus to wear the colors of our rivals. Even if you grew up a Duke fan, there is no reason to sport navy blue around campus. Once enrolled here, you immediately lose any affiliation with other colleges, especially rivals.

There should not be any student that hopes North Carolina or Duke win at anything. They are our rivals and should be hated at all times. I have personally spoken to other freshmen who are unsure of which team to root for if the Deacs take on North Carolina or Duke. That is unfathomable and ridiculous.

There is no doubt that a university student should root for Wake Forest. If you like another school enough to root against Wake Forest, then you should attend that school.

I’m not saying that other school can’t be cheered for – except North Carolina and Duke who should be hated at all times – I’m just saying that people should not wear jerseys or shirts that support other teams. It is perfectly fine hope one school beats another; just don’t act like it is your school. You are a Demon Deacon, and you should only don the logo of the Deacs.

So if you see another person wearing a shirt from another school, throw them a dirty look or shout support for the Deacs. Make sure they realize that they are at Wake Forest, not at any other school.