Writing Assignment #1 1
The Elementary Forms of Sports Fandom, an article by Michael Serazio, explores sports
fandom through Durkheiman theoretical framework. He explains a baseball’s team myths,
kinships, and rituals during a victory. He argues the fans and rituals are the charms to the
victories. Their collectiveness and enthusiasm helps with the team and victory. His article
explains how sports have many of the same effects on spectators as religion does.
Durkheim’s work is how societies could maintain their integrity and coherence in where
traditional and social and religious ties are no longer assumed. But Serazio explains, even within
the most modern situations, how social and religiousness merge when it deals with rituals for
victories. “In fandom, much as in religious worship, the social experience is brought to life: Per
Durkheimian shorthand equivalence, the team (god) is us (society)” (p.6). He explains how
ecstatic the fans were once they received the victory. And, even in the victory the fans presumed
their collectiveness.
Serazio states that because of the togetherness, Durkheim’s beliefs of religiousness being
removed from sports fans during modern society is exempt. It’s like tribal behavior. Sports and
its value are undeniably linked together because of the comradery. Rituals, after all, can be both
every day and ecstatic, routine and extreme. Fans are highly committed to their favored stars and
teams in a way that gives focus and meaning to their daily lives. The face painting, hair tinting,
and distinctive costumes are thought to satisfy quasi-religi...
