The Subjectivity of Success

Every university has its own unique sports culture, and what may be a monumental achievement for one may not hold the same significance for another. Take, for instance, the University of California, Berkeley. Their 17 titles in Water Polo are an undeniable testament to their prowess in the sport. Yet, the question arises - who outside of their fanbase truly appreciates this feat?

Consider the Carolina Tar Heels, a team known more for their basketball than their football. Their football team may not be the strongest, but labeling them as ‘mediocre’ misses the point. They are a “basketball school,” and their achievements should be evaluated within that context. It’s akin to criticizing a fish for its inability to climb a tree. Similarly, when Carolina fans criticize Clemson for their basketball performance, it overlooks Clemson’s strength in football. The sports that matter vary from school to school.

This brings me to an ongoing debate with Mason Harris (you can read his thoughts here) regarding the weight of Oklahoma State’s 55 National Championships in determining the success of an athletic program.

Success is a subjective term. For some, it’s material wealth - a bigger house, a nicer car, a hefty bank balance. For others, it’s about relationships and cherished memories. Neither perspective is inherently right or wrong. This subjectivity extends to collegiate fanbases as well.

Oklahoma fans, for example, are passionate about their softball and football teams, while their wrestling team doesn’t garner the same level of interest. So when an Oklahoma State fan cites their wrestling national titles, it doesn’t resonate with the Oklahoma fan because those sports don’t hold the same importance for them.

Let’s bring the Tar Heels back into the discussion for a broader perspective. They would undoubtedly outperform Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in basketball, women’s soccer, and field hockey. But would that matter to Sooners and Cowboys fans? Probably not.
So, what’s the takeaway here? It’s simple. The importance of a sport varies from school to school. Some debates are futile and miss the larger point. To all the Oklahoma State fans out there, take pride in your wrestling National Titles. But remember, to a Sooner fan, the school’s success is heavily tied to their football team. And that’s perfectly okay. Because in the end, success is in the eye of the beholder.