Creating an electric atmosphere at a sporting event is both an art and a science.
It requires the perfect balance between tradition and innovation.
Clearly understanding how each of these terms is defined will help you find that balance.
Tradition: an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior
(The old way of doing things)
Innovation: a new idea, method, or device
(The new way of doing things)
To summarize:
Creating an electric atmosphere at a sporting event is both an art and a science, requiring the perfect balance between the old way of doing things and the new way of doing things.
The problem is most schools get stuck putting too much emphasis on one or the other.
Schools who are stuck on tradition think:
"This is how it has always been done. We have a rich tradition. If we change things, our season ticket holders and alumni will leave."
This thought pattern leads to stale, boring environments.
Schools who are stuck on innovation think:
"That idea didn't work [after trying it once], let's scratch it and do something new. Nothing can be the same. Oh look, shiny object. Let's try that."
This thought pattern leads to erratic, inconsistent games leaving fans and students confused.
The key is balance.
All traditions start as innovations that become an established pattern of behavior—and all innovations start with a new idea that need to be practiced.
- Brandon