What's in a name

Monday, October 26, 1998

Abundance of sports names leads students into confusion

Just when I think I have the world figured out, life comes up with something to teach me otherwise.

Take for instance Cal State Long Beach's dilemma with having too many names for its sports teams.

The confusion of the names adds on to the already hectic world of university life ...

At first, it was my intention to criticize CSULB for having too many nicknames such as Long Beach State, The Beach, the Dirtbags. The list goes on.

The slew of names only succeeds in confusing people and giving them the lack of identity and school unity other institutions such as UCLA have.

But the truth of the matter is our predicament reeks with irony.

The confusion of the names adds on to the already hectic world of university life - people in search of direction and a purpose. Where am I going? Who am I really?

For many other schools, the team name represents a goal or standard of achievements its students try to maintain and uphold.

From the outside, the name hides the inner workings of the students' search for self-identity.

But funny enough, the abundance of names reflects the diversity of people on campus.

It probably was not planned that way, but the end result is just the same.

The students define the campus, whether it is on the playing field, in class or even in The Nugget.

Of course, having many names can be brain numbing, but it will not confuse the already confused students.

But there are those who know what they want and that adds to the diversity.

I do not have everything figured out, but there are some things I know for sure.

I love reading the Los Angeles Times next to an open window on a lazy Sunday morning.

And the Times sports section is always Section C.

Jimmy Chai is a film and electronic arts major at CSULB.