Could conference realignment eventually save a marriage?
Here's a college basketball story that was inevitable, because sports fans do these kind of things. Then they get press for it. So, well done, you two.
Ashley Crossman and Shawn Moody, a newlywed couple living in the greater Syracuse area, are awaiting the birth of their first. It's to be a boy, and his rooting interests have already been decided. See, Crossman's a Syracuse fan and Moody roots for Connecticut. But there can only be one.
Completely ignoring the fact that a child will rebel against its parents at every turn, the two have fastidiously agreed to determine their firstborn's future fandom. Yes: a prenuptial agreement over rooting rights. Fortunately -- or unfortunately, depending on your purview -- since Syracuse is ACC-bound after this season, the Orange-Husky rivalry could go on ice for awhile. Or not; we still don't know if the schools will agree to a once-a-year series, like what Syracuse and Georgetown plan on arranging.
So when it came time for Ashley’s baby shower, she and Amber quickly decided on the party’s theme: Syracuse basketball. There was just one hurdle. Ashley’s husband, Shawn Moody, is a Connecticut fan.
“When Shawn found out what the theme was going to be he just rolled his eyes,” Crossman said. “(He) said, ‘I wouldn’t expect anything less from the two of you!’”
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Crossman and Moody were married on Aug. 7. While one cheers for the Orange and the other favors UConn, the couple has made some interesting concessions in what could be described as a sports-based pre-nup agreement. Crossman said her husband agreed to let her raise their son as an Orange basketball fan. But Moody had his own conditions. Crossman, a fan of the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Braves, had to agree that Moody could teach their son to be a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Boston Red Sox.
“I had to give up hope of my son growing up liking my football and baseball teams just so I could raise him an SU fan,” Crossman said. “Believe me it took a lot of work.”
Eagles? Red Sox? UConn? And Dolphins/Braves/Syracuse?
This is the stuff that irritates me more than it should. How is it possible to become fans of such teams? Geographically erroneous support, I tell you. I'm sure these two are good, salt-of-the-earth Americans (in fact Moody is a war vet, making him 250 times the man I'll ever be), but these kinds of people drive me nuts. This is one spot removed from being a Cowboys and Lakers fan (otherwise known as our true domestic enemies).
Still, credit to the couple for trying this out. But it's sure to backfire. I'm the oldest of four boys and the only one who was successfully brainwashed (thanks, Mom! And happy birthday!) to root for Chicago-based teams (Bears totally going 12-4; see you in January) by right of being born to lifelong Chicago-living parents. My other three delinquent brothers root for the Eagles and Steelers and flipping Packers.
Take heed, you two. There are no guarantees.
