Author: Seungmin Yeom

Program of Study:  PhD in Chemistry, Physical Sciences Division (PSD)

This is a photo of me and my friends attending a Chicago Fire game at Soldier Field on August 31, 2024. Look at how crowded it is, packed with passionate Chicagoans!

Description: Didn’t you realize that Chicagoans have an extraordinary passion for sports? I’ve been curious about this since my first visit to Chicago in 2016, when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series. In this podcast, we’re going to explore why their sports obsession is so unstoppable. It might get a little personal, but let’s figure out what fuels this ‘Fire’!

Listen Here:

 

Transcript (provided by author):

Welcome to the ELI’s Finding Chicago Global Perspectives Podcast Series for AEPP 2024.

Hi, I’m your host, Seungmin Yeom, and I’m currently enrolled in the University of Chicago’s Physical Science Division, Department of Chemistry to be specific.

 

I cannot forget the moment I was in Chicago back in 2016. I can hardly believe it’s already been 8 years since my first visit, oh I feel too old, but I still clearly remember the atmosphere and the vibe. 2016 was a legendary year for Chicago because the Cubs won the World Series, ending a 108-year championship drought. 108 years! Can you imagine that? Following this historic victory, every street I walked seemed filled with Cubs fans. I remember that even though my English wasn’t great at that time, I joined the friendly Chicagoans in cheering and yelling, “Go Cubs!” Now, eight years later, the same guy who’s grown a little older is a UChicago graduate student. Even though the Cubs haven’t won the World Series since then, I’ve found that Chicago still has a vibrant sports scene. Just last weekend, I visited Soldier Field to watch a Chicago Fire game against Inter Miami. The atmosphere was electric, with fans packed into their uniforms and jerseys, all there to support their team. Of course, there were plenty of Messi fans, but what really stood out was not them. A boy and his father were sitting right behind me, and they were huge Chicago Fire fans, cheering passionately for their team. Even though the Fire lost like 4-1, the boy screamed out loud when the Fire scored a goal. I could easily feel the enthusiasm and love for the team, just by looking at them and the cheering squads right behind the goalpost. That experience made me realize just how passionate Chicagoans are about sports. It got me thinking: Why do Chicagoans love sports so much?

 

First, Chicago is home to many professional sports teams with great histories. Take the Chicago Bulls, for example. As a basketball lover, I can say that even those who aren’t fans of the sport likely know about Michael Jordan, often called the greatest of all time in basketball history. He led the Bulls to six NBA Championships. Chicago is not only home to the previously mentioned teams – Bulls, Fire, and Cubs, but also to the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL and the Chicago Bears in the NFL. Although I’m not familiar with their recent performances, the variety of sports teams gives Chicagoans plenty of options to support and cheer for. In addition, the long history of these professional sports teams is also a significant factor. This tradition is passed down through generations, from grandparents and parents to their children.

Second, anecdotally speaking, Chicago has a history of overcoming significant difficulties and challenges, such as the Great Chicago Fire and the Fort Dearborn Massacre. And sports often symbolize the resilience deeply ingrained in Chicagoans’ spirit, raised throughout those historical events. For instance, despite the Great Fire destroying two-thirds of the city, Chicago has grown into one of the largest cities in the world, known for its modern skyscrapers. This could have been possible due to Chicagoans raising and possessing the strength and ability to overcome challenges. Those aspects are directly reflected in the city’s sports culture. Consider the Chicago Cubs as an example. They hadn’t won a single World Series since 1908, and their fans waited over a century to see their team win the championship again. To be honest, I’m a Tottenham fan, and I can barely wait a few years for them to win the league. But 108 years? That’s on a whole different level. This enduring patience and unwavering spirit are perfectly due to the deep-rooted resilience that has been a part of Chicago’s identity from its early days.

Third, but not least, Chicago is a friendly community, and the members of this community just go to watch sports games to connect and share experiences. Whether they gather to watch a game at a local bar or attend a live event, watching the sports just simply creates communal bonds between the fans and the community members of Chicago. For example, I play tennis every Saturday morning at Harold Washington Park. Every time I went there, I noticed that several people were also playing on Saturday mornings. I became friends with some of them, and they turned out to be UChicago students as well. Now, we just say “Hi” to each other every Saturday and sometimes have lunch together. Sports make these connections happen so easily. They help unite people and strengthen the sense of community among local residents.

 

While this may be just a personal analysis, there is one thing I am quite sure about: Chicagoans love sports even more than I expected. Thank God it’s Saturday tomorrow! I’m looking forward to playing tennis and trying to embrace the spirit of a true “Chicagoan” who is enthusiastic about sports. I really appreciate you all listening to my long story. Have a good one!