Tarmac Online

by Charles Cozeolino ’28

When it comes to sports, Chaminade men don’t just watch the game—they live it. At Chaminade, you’ll hear countless conversations, teachers reminding students about tests, friends getting ready to go to lunch, but one theme is common through the men here: sports. Whether it’s arguing about the “real” New York baseball team or if the Knicks will finally make a deep playoff run, fandom runs deep in the halls of Jackson Avenue.

To get a sense of everyone’s devotion to their teams, a recent student poll asked our Chaminade men which teams they call their own. The poll included two questions: your preferred team and how you developed this fandom. The results? In almost 800 answers, it shows the perfect division of New York culture: loyal, passionate, and just a little divided.

Baseball: The Classic Split

For baseball, the results were as New York as it gets. The fanbase was almost perfectly split, with about 44% choosing the Yankees and 40% siding with the Mets. A few students represented other teams like the Red Sox, Phillies, and even the Pirates. “My dad raised me as a diehard Yankees fan, and no way I’d ever change,” said Luke F. ’28. “You can’t argue with 27 rings. But for every ring, there’s two wrong-sided Met fans ready to fire back.” Joe L. ’27 puts it simply for Met fans: “We don’t win as much, but the Mets have the heart and the real fans of New York.”

The kind of passion between our men and their sports teams doesn’t just stay for one season—it sticks. No one switches teams just because of a rough year—it’s all about your origin, your family roots, and the unique memories for each of us.

Football: The Jets’ Unexpected Rise

In the world of football, the majority of Chaminade sports fans share one thing—a deep mix of hope and heartbreak. That’s why the poll results surprised many: the playoff-starved Jets came out on top with about 37% of the votes, followed by the Giants in second with about 26%, finished with the Bills and a couple of other teams.

Why the Jets? Maybe it’s the buzz behind new quarterback Justin Fields, or maybe they just happen to be the loudest fans in Chaminade. Either way, even after a miserable 0-7 beginning, Jets fans still see hope in their team’s future.

Two of our students were interviewed simultaneously, both asked the same question: “Why stick with your team?” Chris L. ’27, a longtime Gang Green fan, told us that, “I’ve been a Jets fan my whole life. Every season I tell myself it’ll be different, and even though it never is, that’s the fun of it.”

Jack M. ’27, a diehard Giants fan, couldn’t help but respond. “Jets fans always say ‘this is the year’, but we all know how that ends,” he laughed. “At least my G-Men have sniffed a Lombardi in the past fifteen years.”

Despite the trash talk, there’s a shared feeling of “proud agony” in being a New York football fan—holding out hope no matter the record.

But what about the non-New York fans? Especially in football, some of the Chaminade men root for foreign teams rather than the two native ones. After brief interviews with some of these students, the common message was either because of family or a personal tie. Some root for teams due to a certain player, someone they could call a role model. No matter the sport, this variety shows the thoughts our open-minded men have at Chaminade.

Hockey: Split or Quit?

When it comes to hockey, Chaminade men are either all in or completely out. The poll showed that about 25% don’t follow the sport at all, with the remaining 75% split nearly evenly between the Islanders and Rangers.

The rivalry runs deep, especially on Long Island. “It’s pretty much based on where you live,” said Ryan S. ’28. “If you’re from Nassau County, probably an Islanders fan. If you live closer to the Garden, it’s Blueshirts till death.”

Even those who don’t watch hockey still feel the playoff energy come early March. “I’m not a big hockey fan,” admitted Tommy D. ’29, “but after every Rangers playoff win, South Astoria goes wild—you can’t ignore it.”

Basketball: Finally, Some Unity

After so many divided fanbases, basketball is where Chaminade finally agrees—Knicks rule the school.

The Knicks dominated the poll results, receiving about 75% of votes, while only 7% of students backed the Nets and others either picked other teams or weren’t following at all. For the first time in years, it feels like the Knicks are giving the New York faithful something to believe in.

“This is the most fun it’s been to be a Knicks fan in years,” said Andrew T. ’26. “The Brunson Burner is on, and the Garden’s always still electric.”

Even those who didn’t grow up watching basketball are starting to tune in, and that shows how much Chaminade men influence each other’s interests.

More Than Just Teams

For most Chaminade men, fandom isn’t something you wake up to decide one day—it’s passed down. When you grow up in a New York household, you usually inherit your team the same way you inherit your last name. You don’t pick the team. The team picks you.

That’s the story for a lot of students. Parents, friends, older brothers—someone introduces you to the game early, and before long, you’re hooked. “Sports aren’t just a hobby; it’s a relationship with the team that makes or breaks your heart,” said Chris T. ’26.

Others said their fandom depends on where they live. If you’re from Nassau County, odds are you’re a Mets and Islanders fan. Live closer to the city? You’re most definitely a Rangers and Yankees fan. One student put it best: “Your zip code pretty much decides your loyalty.”

However, a few guys said they picked their team on their own—usually because they wanted to be different. “My dad grew up a Phillies fan, so I went the same route,” laughed Ronan C. ’28. “Now I’ll die for them.”

It’s about connection—between generations, families, and friends. Whether it’s bonding with your dad over baseball, arguing with your boys about football, or late-night block parties to watch the Knicks with your community, you wear these teams on your sleeve.

At the end of the day, win or lose, it’s all part of what makes Chaminade special. The debates, the loyalty, the endless optimism—it’s not just about the teams; it’s about who roots for them. Whether you rep the Mets, Jets, Knicks, or any other team, every Flyer knows what it means to stay faithful when it matters most. Because here at Chaminade, fandom isn’t about sports—it’s about family.