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When Arizona Wildcat Teams Win, Arizona State Fans Have Nothing to Say

By Peggy McClain

Nov 25, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Zach Green (34) runs the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the third quarter of the Territorial Cup at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats won 56-35. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Zach Green (34) runs the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the third quarter of the Territorial Cup at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats won 56-35. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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There is one way to keep Sun Devil fans quiet and that is for any high profile Arizona Wildcat team to win, whether it’s against Arizona State or anyone else.

The Valley of the Sun continues its growth spurt with no sign of slowing down. Combine the extra traffic with the growing student population at Arizona State, and it’s easy to see why the Tempe area isn’t the quietest place to live. But Tempe is Arizona Wildcats Country.

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We are always told it’s good to have some quiet time as we muddle through our busy days and it takes some effort to fit peace and quiet into busy schedules. There is a way to keep some of the noise and chatter at bay, especially for those of us living in the Tempe/Phoenix area.

When the Arizona Wildcats win, Arizona State fans suddenly have nothing to say. And when the Wildcats beat the Sun Devils, it’s almost as though Arizona State fans have disappeared for a silent retreat.

The opposite is true when Arizona loses, no matter how big the stage and how good the Arizona team is. Suddenly Sun Devils can’t focus on anything at the office except reminding Wildcat co-workers that Arizona lost. ASU fans seem to forget that Arizona fans can actually read and count, therefore we are aware of final scores.

Year after year the Arizona Wildcats are in the NCAA tournament, and almost always ranked in the top 15. We never hear “Good luck” or “Back the Pac” heading into March Madness.

Feb 4, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) defends as Arizona Wildcats guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (0) shoots the ball in the first half at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) defends as Arizona Wildcats guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (0) shoots the ball in the first half at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

Those years when we go deep into the tournament, nothing is said by Sun Devil co-workers. But on the Monday after Arizona exits the tournament, ASU fans are obsessed and can’t seem to focus on the work in front of them. Here are some typical statements: “What happened to you guys?” “You looked terrible.” “How come you lost in the Tournament again?”

Remember last summer’s fun run to the College World Series? The ASU fans, those fans who remind us that “Arizona State is the baseball school,” were as quiet as a sleeping baby. Game after game, Arizona Baseball did their job and moved on.

Jun 30, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Arizona Wildcats center fielder Jared Oliva (42) hits a two-run single during the sixth inning against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in game three of the College World Series championship series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Arizona Wildcats center fielder Jared Oliva (42) hits a two-run single during the sixth inning against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in game three of the College World Series championship series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

Finally, the three-game championship was at our doorstep. Unfortunately, on July 1st, Arizona came up just short and finished No. 2 in the country. What a lofty feat for the team and Arizona’s new baseball coach Jay Johnson. July 2nd was a day full of chatter at workplaces in the Phoenix area. Arizona State fans couldn’t contain themselves, reminding the Arizona fans that we lost the Championship Game. Do they not realize Sun Devil Baseball wasn’t in Omaha, again?

Arizona football had a rough season, but finished on a high by dismantling the Sun Devils.  The Monday after Thanksgiving was quiet at work, and not because ASU fans were tired from Christmas shopping all weekend. It’s a predictable scenario, and is especially fun to observe wearing Wildcat gear to work.

Now it’s nearing the end of basketball season, a season where Arizona has spent many weeks in the top 10. ‘Twas the day before the top five match-up between UCLA and Arizona, and Sun Devils were hard at work buried at their computers, focusing diligently on furthering their careers. The unfortunate happened over the weekend and Monday the chatter started. Instead of focusing on work, job-related issues were met with “You guys looked terrible”, “How embarrassing”, and “The Kitties lost.”

This weekend Arizona Athletics has two opportunities to quiet the Sun Devils, both the athletes and their fans who wear maroon and gold (when they aren’t wearing gray, black, or copper.) First, Arizona Basketball must roll into Tempe and paint the town red on Saturday afternoon. Another early trip to the locker room by Bobby Hurley might be nice.

On Sunday Arizona Gymnastics hosts the ASU Sun Devils for their final meet at McKale.

https://twitter.com/AZGymnastics/status/837345924602966016

Next: New Arizona Athletic Director is Introduced

Let’s hope it’s quiet in Tempe on Monday, Arizona fans. Bear Down Arizona Basketball and Gymnastics. We will be watching you this weekend and look forward to two wins over The School up North (and a quiet Monday).

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