Lunatic fringe is sapping fun out of big game

Traditionally, this week is defined by the words "happy" and "thanks," but try telling that to the disgruntled and unappreciative fans attempting to detract from what should be a festive event - Saturday's playoff football game between Norfolk State and Old Dominion.

Since the pairing of the local teams was announced Sunday, the lunatic fringe and garden-variety malcontents on both sides of the rivalry have unburdened themselves of an assortment of ill-informed opinions, common complaints and long-held biases. Some while standing in line for tickets. Others while online, where they've released their cowardly bile under the cover of Internet anonymity.

You say this is only a vocal minority? Agreed. Or at least we can hope that's the case. Still, it doesn't take many ants to spoil the picnic.

A week ago, we relished the idea of this game. Now that it's almost here, let's hope the occasion hasn't turned into a case of "be careful what you ask for."

Where to begin with the litany of protests and criticism?

It started with ODU buying itself a home game in accordance with NCAA rules governing the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. ODU put in a big bid, thought to be over and above what was necessary.

Some Norfolk State fans are angry that ODU gets to play the Spartans on its home field while the larger Dick Price Stadium, located 4.2 miles away, goes unused. But many of the same fans are even more perturbed that Norfolk State athletic director Marty Miller did not put in a bid for a home game.

Allowing teams to buy home games is a quirky, inequitable way to run a tournament, but ODU was only playing by the rules. It was Norfolk State's decision not even to enter the fray, a judgment call rued by Spartan fans who stood in line for hours the other day, only to be denied tickets.

Ultimately, the process comes down to competition and commerce, not community togetherness; but whereas ODU was required by the NCAA to release only 500 tickets to the visiting team, Monarchs AD Wood Selig offered 1,800, plus space for the Spartans band. A class move.

Norfolk State fans, though, aren't the only ones complaining. Some ODU fans grouse that the Monarchs shouldn't be playing at all Saturday, that they should have received a bye into the second round on the strength of their 9-2 record.

The Gridiron Power Index - which has ODU at 15 - suggests otherwise. And look at Wofford and Maine, teams that did receive byes. Wofford lost by eight at Clemson and Maine fell by six at Pittsburgh. That, among other factors, trumps ODU's nonconference victories over Campbell and Georgia State.

And then there are those ODU fans who didn't want the Monarchs to play Saturday for another reason: It will interfere with their plans to attend the Virginia Tech-U.Va. game in Charlottesville. They're unhappy they have to choose.

It's a small number, to be sure, since more than 90 percent of ODU season-ticket holders purchased seats to the Norfolk State game. But even that impressive figure drew online fire from fellow ODU fans that it wasn't 100 percent.

You can't please everybody, but you'd think that a historic game between local teams would be universally celebrated, not nitpicked to death.

This week is a prelude to what's to come between Norfolk State and ODU, which begin playing on an annual basis in 2013. If the community of fans within the larger communities - the petty minority - can't overcome the friction and suspicions created by history, maybe a series between schools that share the same city isn't a good idea.

That's yet to be seen, and Saturday's game might put to rest any lingering concerns. But what's needed now is more graciousness - like that shown by Selig - on the part of fans for both teams.

Happy Thanksgiving. Happy thoughts about the big game.

Bob Molinaro, (757) 446-2373, bob.molinaro@pilotonline.com