I grew up in New England, where I saw the power of sports to unite people from all walks of life.
 In high school, I played in the pep band. In college, I led the student section for our hockey program. In graduate school, I began studying how fans form emotional bonds—not just with teams, but with one another.

Through those experiences, I built lifelong friendships, gave back to the community using my talents (in my case, playing the saxophone), and found a real sense of purpose in an often isolating world. These moments showed me how powerful sports fandom could be when rooted in community. As I continued my research in graduate school, I noticed a shift.

The communal nature of fandom—the shared rituals, chants, and conversations in the stands—was beginning to fade.
 In an increasingly digital world, the fans you once tailgated with were now scattered across online forums and distant feeds. The connection was fraying. That realization opened my eyes to something bigger. We were losing more than rituals—we were losing social connection.


And with that, we risk losing the passion and purpose that sports can bring to our lives.