Ethnography

Ethnography

November 2, 2015

Less Than Average

Its Monday night around seven in the afternoon, I set up at the intramural fields on campus to do my observation. It is already significantly dark outside due to the time change and it is pretty cold out. I find my place in the grass and begin observing as I casually sip my Sonic drink.
I scan the field and see a wide variety of people doing different things. Amidst all the other activities going on I decide to watch an intramural soccer game that was taking place in front of me. There are two teams consisting of about nine players each. Team one, we will call Globo Gym had six boys and three girls. As Globo Gym warmed up I noticed that they were very talented and all were familiar with the game, having played it at some point in their life. They wore blue team shirts with different colored shorts on. They laughed and smiled as they awaited for the start of the game. Team two, we will call the Average Joe's, had four boys and five girls. Before the start of the game, the Average Joe's struggled to find enough people to play. They called a few people and then were ready to begin. This team was very different from Globo Gym. They were all wearing different shirts and shorts and only one or two of them seemed to have actually played before. I know I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I fully expected Globo Gym to easily win the game.
The game started and quickly Globo Gym scored the first goal of the game. The members of the Averages Joes didn't seem worried and all laughed as if they knew they were going to lose badly. The game went on and after two more Globo Gym goals, the Average Joes finally got on the scoreboard. A tall, white person, named Jeff received a nice pass and scored from the corner of the field. The team erupted with excitement and seemed to get some life back in them, but that was quickly taken away by another Globo Gym goal. The score is 4-1 as they go into half time. The teams both drink water, laugh and reflect on the first half of the game.
As the second half starts, the Average Joes quickly begin to fall victim to fatigue and begin to give up. Globo Gym, showing no mercy begins to poor it on scoring 3 more goals without the Average Joes scoring one. Jeff for the Average Joes is the only one that seems to be trying at this point and scores another goal for his team. He gives a valiant effort to try and motivate his team but even he begins to stop trying. The time is now 8:15 and the game is in its final minute. The game has lost the competitiveness and the score blew open to a 12-2 Globo Gym lead. The game ends and both teams shake hands. The Average Joes played far worse than average but they all smiled as if they had won. Both teams laughed and smiled and packed up their things to make their way out of the cold. Talk of going to eat circulated throughout the Average Joes, and the team decided to go eat at McCalisters.
It is very cold outside and I am having a hard time typing with my hands being as cold as they are, so I decide to conclude my study and head home.

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