Sports Rivalries 1

RUNNING HEAD: The Effects of Sports Rivalries

The Impact of Rivalries on the Sports Community

Alexis G. Biltz
Glen Allen High School

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Introduction
Growing up in a society focused on being the last one standing and living up to ones full
potential has fostered the rise of extreme competition. From a young age, kids are placed in
cleats and in an endless supply of jerseys and are thrown on the sports field expected to succeed.
They are taught to love their classmates in school, yet despise them on the field or court.
Individuals grow and develop in this kind of environment: one where success is demanded. This
craziness of competition and rivalry has quickly transformed and has begun to take over the
entertainment world. The World Series, Super Bowl, and March Madness make individuals, both
athletes and fans, in simple terms - fired up. Schools and club level teams form rivalries from
constant communication and reencounters with one and other. Competitions take a whole new
level when these two entities meet face to face. A burning fervor and rage resonates forming
what a rivalry is known as today. This hatred, passion, and heated nature has been brought forth
to the forefront of society begging the question as to what the psychological impact of rivalries
are and how they affect us as individuals.
Mentality
Many generalize rivalry simply as a form of competition visualized on a higher platform.
It strikes the heart almost as much as the mind. To be explained in a more definite manner a
rivalry can be described as extreme competition and hostility in which individuals are driven
by attitudes rather than stakes (Thies, 2001, pg. 695). Thies further describes rivalry as an
actor dimension meaning that the platform in which one stands on is motivated by the past and
the opponent rather than one specified, defined stake or goal (Thies, 2001, pg. 695). An
exaggerated component drives one to perform under this immense amount of pressure, rather
than natural progression of seeking the inevitable end prize.

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Reeves studied this component of rivalry as he evaluated individuals, athletes in
particular, on their performance and psychological stimulation within a competitive setting. Prior
to evaluation, the researcher required the athletes to describe and label what a rivalry was to
them individually. Most indicated teams or organizations within a close radius to where they are
situated, as well as some with a high relevance in their past (Reeves, 1985, pg. 329). These
athletes studied and evaluated presumed a high self-identification within their school or club
team, meaning that they saw themselves as a vital part of the success and spirit of their institution
(Reeves, 1985, pg. 329). Through the construction of a long standing study, students of local
high schools were evaluated through their sports seasons and it was determined that statistically
speaking, the majority of students performed at a much higher level when competing against a
team whom they characterized themselves as a potential rival (Reeves, 1985, pg. 330). Gaining a
sense of group identification thus allows for these rivalries to prosper and flourish within athletic
organizations and generates a stronger response when athletes are placed in a competitive setting.
Communal Involvement
Rivalries are not just simply a hatred between two teams on the sports field or court: it is
history, it is tradition. They are the bridge between generations as different groups of people
begin to share a common ground on something of both the past and present (Markman, 2011).
People who live in different areas begin to feel closer and more connected through this sharing of
a common rivalry. The community comes together both literally and figuratively to cheer on their
team and show their pride and spirit.
Through the studying of the amount of individuals wearing their institutions spirit wear
on the day of or day after a big game, it was shown that people tend to identify themselves to a
particular group through the involvement and rise of competitive events (Reeves, 1985, pg. 330).

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On a university campus, the amount of school related clothing was analyzed and evaluated
before, during, and after a matchup against a rivalry institution. Prior to and during the game, the
amount was much larger than after. But the question that remained was: why? The group came
together to show pride for their community, but if the results wanted were not generated, a wellexecuted game in this case, this identification slowly diminishes (Reeves, 1985, pg. 330). Rivalry
prospers when competition seems manageable and when fans are reminded of their past and why
they are in the stands cheering on their local team. All of the emotions that arise through this
concept of competition through the players, coaches, and fans are generated as a result of
tradition, knowing that the past influences ones future. However, the differentiation of rival and
non-rival schools is what generates this athlete mentality.
Further, Smith and Schwarz studied more in depth students' identification of themselves
to a group within the context of rival and non-rival schools or institutions. Their goal as
researchers was to determine how the word "rival" impacted students' reactions when asked
questions about different schools, including the school in which they currently attend. Data was
found that suggested that sports rivalries increase the perceptions that these students have on
themselves, meaning that they begin to see their "self," a student at their home school, as more
unique and successful when compared to those of the rival school (Smith & Schwarz, 2003, pg.
351). They see potential and passion in themselves and in their own school and a lack thereof in
the rival institution.
Psychological Impact
The simple answer as to why the concept of rivalry exists is revenge or a hunger to win,
but in reality it is something much more extreme. Past and legacy resonate in ones mind.
Athletes and fans remember the games where the team lost in the last couple of seconds or an

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incorrect call was called giving the other team the victory. These memories and experiences
prompt a sense of urgency and an eager[ness] that is not consequently generated by an
ordinary field of play (McNally, 2016). In turn, performance and motivation are heighted.
However, it must be remembered that these results are carried out as a result of the want to
succeed. Practice is taken more seriously and strategy is thought out deliberately (McNally,
2016). Rivalries bring out athletes biggest instincts helping them to maximize their mentalities
and game of play.
McNally explores how these rivalries are generated among universities. College is a time
where pride and passion is at a new level. Dr. Converse, a professor of public policy and
psychology at the University of Virginia describes one such rivalry Virginia and Virginia Tech
as one that triggers a unique psychological response (McNally, 2016). Like any rivalry, this
one is transformed as a result as a feeling of strong competition amongst the two entities, more
than any other institution. However, McNally brings up an important question as to why these
games feel more important than others.
Researchers have managed their time seeking to determine the true reasoning as to why
rivalry forms and have a large amount of ideals in mind. Rodriguez, for example, found that the
three main components to evolving rivalries are repeated competition, closeness in level of play,
and of course history and geographic location. Rodriguezs research of rivalries is unique in that
she goes into why they grow in intensity over time (Rodriguez, 2012). She begins to further
show through various studies that it pushes athletes harder, making them want to succeed not
only for themselves and for the coaching staff, but for the fans and devotees that as allowed this
rivalry to exist.
It may seem obvious that rivalry alters ones overall capacity to succeed and play to their

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potential, but being able to conceptualize how rivalries impact one as an individual is what will
truly alter performance. It is all about the mentality when it comes down to the test. According to
Converse, one must be careful to not be overeager because that may cause less fluidity
(McNally, 2016). It is important for these leaders of teams, as well as all of the athletes, to use
rivalry to motivate simply, yet in a creative manner, whether that be through trying a new play or
taking a risk with lineups. Focusing on the rivalry is also vital to allow the athletes to understand
their past in order to better be prepared for the future. In turn, rivalries harness strong emotions
towards those who has lived the past over and over with one and other, furthering athletes and
the communitys motivation and mental position to succeed on the sports field.
References
Markman, A. (2011, December 31). The Psychology of Sports Rivalries. Statesman. Retrieved
from http://www.statesman.com
McNally, K. (2016, February 08). 'Hoos vs. Hokies. UVA Today. Retrieved
from https://news.virginia.edu/
Rodriguez, A. (2012, August 31). Do college rivalries go too far? USA Today. Retrieved from
http://college.usatoday.com/
Smith, R. A., & Schwarz, N. (2003). Language, social comparison, and college football: is your
school less similar to the rival school than the rival school is to your school?. Communication
Monographs, 70(4), 351-360.
Thies, C. G.. (2001). A Social Psychological Approach to Enduring Rivalries. Political
Psychology, 22(4), 693725. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/