One of my favorite childhood pastimes was collecting pennants.
I found some mail order outfit and nabbed as many triangular felt flags as my allowance would allow me to do. I started with my favorite teams – University of Memphis and University of Tennessee, of course. Then, I went on to picking up all the ones from the SEC. Later, I added some random others. Sometimes you could purchase them in lots.
I guess that explains why I have a mysterious UCLA pennant in my collection.
Over the years, I also collected many MLB pennants and I have passed those along to Holly and Paul who did a ‘draft’ a few years ago – much the way teams choose up sides for a playground kickball game. Both the ones still have the pennants proudly displayed and they’ve each added to the collection.
I used to look around the room and check out the various flags. I remember the bright purple and yellow of the LSU Tigers next to the deep red and navy of the Ole Miss Rebels. I also used to think the school colors of Auburn and Florida were very similar. While it was true along the top of my bedroom wall, we know in reality it’s not the case.
If I had extended my pennant collection, I might’ve added some other classics. When you think of it, there are some excellent nicknames in the NC2A and in many cases, those monikers reflect the state those schools represent.
While traveling in neighboring N.C. recently, I had a revelation. Some state affiliations are stronger than others.
No question about it – when you hear of a Tar Heel, you know the reference is for a resident or native of our neighbors to the east. Tar Heel = North Carolina (with all due respect to fans or alumni of Duke University or N.C. State).
The same kind of reference goes for a Sooner or Hoosier. You’d easily be able to match the state with the nickname in either case.
But why doesn’t it work for other states? A South Carolinian is not known as a ‘Palmettoan’; a Georgia native isn’t called a ‘Peachy.’
The naming works for some states but not all.
These days, with a polarized electorate, the red state/blue state identifications seem to be stronger than simple nomenclature. Texas = Red; California = Blue.
But most importantly: Tennessee = Orange!
JG
Originally posted 10/29/2013
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