Levo Passio Civitas:
Raise The Passion of The City
The Story Behind the Name
If you take a look at our crest, featured throughout the site, you’ll notice a Latin phrase stitched across the heart:
Levo Passiō Cīvitās – Raise the Passion of the City.
Why that phrase? Because this project was born from a lifelong belief:
Sports fandom isn’t just about cheering—it’s about building communities and belonging.
The Story Behind Heart of a Fan
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.
What We’re Here to Build
Heart of a Fan started as a graduate thesis and has evolved into a living project. A podcast, a newsletter, and a community—designed to uplift the people who shape fan culture from the ground up.
We’re here to spotlight sports fans who build, organize, and give back—from starting local supporters’ groups and fundraising for causes, to keeping traditions alive and creating space for others to belong.
Whether you’re a lifelong season ticket holder or someone who just fell in love with the game, we believe your story matters.
Through Heart of a Fan, I want to help redefine what sports fandom looks like—not just as loyalty to a team, but as a force for connection, belonging, and collective joy.
Or, as our crest reminds us:
Raise the passion of the city.I hope you’ll join us on this journey.
Matthew Barry
If you have a story you would want to share with us, wish to nominate someone, or wish to partner with us: Please reach out below