I go to my share of sporting events. I'm a passionate Marquette basketball fan, Bucks season holder and we here at OnMilwaukee.com get Brewers, Admirals, Wave and other various tickets. So, yes, I go to a ton of games.
Yet, for whatever reason I don't own a ton of sports gear.
I had to buy my first Packers gear this season when I went to the home opener. I opted for a simple G logo shirt and an old school Acme throwback hoodie that I didn't need since the weather was perfect. I haven't worn the T-shirt since the game, but I do love the hoodie.
I own one Brewers related shirt (it says "Tararrel," as in "Zing, Boom"), 4-5 Marquette T-shirts and a few pairs of MU basketball shorts, a Wave United (the former outdoor team that was affiliated with the Milwaukee Wave) jersey that I got at an auction and several Bucks items including two game worn shorts that I wear around the house, an old school warm up jacket and several T shirts.
Yet, I don't own or wear team jerseys. Nothing against them, and as I watch more and more games at home I think I'm warming to buying more sports gear and maybe even a jersey.
Here's my hypothesis on jersey wearing. As you age as a sports fan you either get more passionate or more cynical. I opt for passion as I use sports as a major source of entertainment. As the typical fan gets older, he/she wants to stake claim to youth and that innocence of the fan inside who cared so much it hurt.
Also, the older you get the less you really care what people think about you. So, if you're a suit and tie all day kinda guy why not sport a jersey even though you could never play for the team? Why not go all out and go Green and Gold to the nines?
I love sports and I truly think it's the only thing that can really bring a community together. So this year I say buy a jersey, buy a hoodie and support your favorite team like it's going out of style. Who knows, maybe I'll even buy a jersey this year, too.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
