By Jeffrey Chandler
After three weeks off, things are finally starting to seem normal again for Cougar sports fans.
The football team takes the field against UNLV on Saturday, Sept. 29, giving people a chance to move beyond the events of the terrorist attack on America.
The events of Sept. 11 changed Americans'' sense of security forever. As the nation''s citizens seek to return normalcy in their lives, they look for gathering places where the stresses of everyday living can be forgotten for a few hours.
Many find this solace through sports.
'It''s a healthy way to have an outlet from the normal grind of life,' said Ron Chamberlain, sports psychologist for the BYU athletic department.
Across America, fans begin to return to stadiums.
Stirring renditions of 'God Bless America,' many visible flags, and donations to the victims have been common at sporting events.
The New York Mets players donned baseball caps honoring firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty during the attack.
Airplanes flying over stadiums with advertising banners and coolers, both commonplace in stadiums before the attacks, have been banned in sporting venues across the country as authorities tighten security.
Here at BYU, pre-game festivities and additional security measures are planned for the next home game, Friday, October 6 against Utah State, said Larry Duffin, special events director for BYU athletics, although nothing has been announced publicly yet.
When the game is finally played here, Chamberlain says the interest and enthusiasm for what''s happening on the field will have a unifying effect on fans.
'It''s not so much the sport itself. I think it''s the process of being around 65,000 people, building a common interest, talking about it,' he said. 'It''s one of the few places you can see people act a little bit crazy without raising your eyebrows.'
Chamberlain said the times in his counseling when he has seen people the most grief-stricken are the times when it''s been the easiest for them to laugh.
'I think the best thing you can do as a person, as a nation, is immerse yourself back into your life,' he said.
The fans are anxious to do just that and cheer on their Cougars.
'I''m really excited to get back to normal and watch the Cougars play football. It''s therapeutic,' said Cameron McEwen, 24, a senior from Germantown, Tenn., majoring in English.
For the football coaches and players the time off has been hard, said football head coach Gary Crowton.
Though they''ve certainly felt sorrow and shock for the Sept. 11 tragedy, the players are ready to play somebody, rather than facing each other, Crowton said.
The football team recognizes its importance in the local community. Crowton said the football team''s success allows the community to rally around it and feel a sense of pride.
'I think it''s a positive thing because there''s a lot of positive energy that follows a good team,' Crowton said. 'It gives people something to look forward to, and I think the team likes that and they feed off that a little bit.'
The team hopes to improve on its 3-0 start as it starts league play against UNLV Saturday, Sept. 29.
'I expect them to do well and play hard, because that''s the character of this team,' Crowton said.
Concerns of the team being rusty to start the game were met with confidence that all will be fine during the game, despite the long layoff.
'I think we improved over the 21 days,' said running back Luke Staley.
Chamberlain said any drop-off in play would be due to the long layoff and not the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, but he said the players should be fine.
'This is what these guys love to do,' he said.
Staley said the team has remained focused and will be ready to play Saturday.
'I think the team, as a whole, has taken it well. We''re not really thinking about the games that we missed. I think we''re looking forward to this game against UNLV this weekend,' Staley said.
Regardless of the outcome of the game, Chamberlain said he hopes the tragedy will put football into perspective, reminding people that it''s just a game.
'We go to the game and cheer for our team, but when it''s all said and done, we''re all Americans. We''re all working together for the common good of our society,' Chamberlain said.
This is important to remember as fans go back to stadiums without banners flown overhead by airplanes and the ability to carry coolers inside the gates, due to heightened security measures.
Chamberlain said that talking about what happened and discussing changes in the game rituals with children is important, whether it be with more emphasis on the national anthem or no flying banners.
'Talking about it makes it seem not so scary. It makes it feel more like there''s a sense of control,' Chamberlain said.
Other than these minor changes to the ambience of the stadium, things will get back to normal as much as possible here as Cougar fans start the healing process on Saturday.