Have you ever felt like you’re a part of something bigger than yourself in a crowd? This might not be the case for my introverts, but it’s undeniable that some crowds are electric — especially when it comes to sports.
Collective effervescence is the sociological term, coined by Émile Durkheim, used to describe the emotional response to a community coming together for an event centered around a shared connection. For sporting events, you’re surrounded by people who are there for the same reasons you are, even if they’re cheering on your rival team, and that’s incredibly powerful.
It’s fun to go out of your way and bond with a stranger over your shared love of something. That sense of camaraderie is unbeatable, breaking you out of your shell even when you’re on your own.
Almost every time two Cincinnati Reds fans spot each other in the wild, they have to say “Go Reds.” It’s not like it’s easy to publicly disclaim their love for the Bengals anyway.
The last time I felt a sense of collective effervescence was the fall 2025 UCCS cross country RMAC meet. I did some arts and crafts and made a sign that garnered nods of approval from other Mountain Lions, and sideways glances from rivaling teams.
Cheering on my team alongside a plethora of my peers allowed for the isolation of reality slip away for a second, and I felt like I was a part of one collective effort.
I’m sure collective effervescence feels significantly different for the athletes, but hopefully they can look back and smile at the community that shares a similar excitement when they gather around them.
We are coming up on Super Bowl season, and the stakes are high at this point in the NBA and NHL seasons. So, if you happen to stumble into a sports bar within the next few weeks, you’ll easily bond over praying on the downfall of the Patriots and raising a glass for Bo Nix with your fellow patrons.
Bonus points if you mention how cheap the beer is at Coors Field and how much The Rockies suck; you’ll get everyone to agree on something for once.
Sporting events are an amazing way to find connection and solidarity in such an isolated and divisive time. Your community is out there, so go chase them, and don’t forget to cheer on our Mountain Lions as they gear up for the season!
Photo from Piero Huerto Gago on Unsplash.