CHAMPAIGN, IL (CHAMBANA TODAY)- Hello. My name is Joe Dicken, aka “Average Joe,” the quintessential sports fan who embodies the spirit, excitement, occasional frustrations, and limited scope of knowledge of millions of everyday spectators around the globe. I’m your neighbor, friend, brother-in-law, and coworker. I own, and even embrace, the moniker of “Average Joe.” First, it stops any argument. “Oh, is what I said not accurate? Sorry, I’m just an average sports fan.” (shoulder shrug) Secondly…it’s accurate.
Each month, I will tackle, or haphazardly address, everything from football to fencing (you never know), sharing observations on the athletic comings and goings of the Chambana area with occasional references to national and worldwide events—all based on the limited knowledge of a casual Midwest sports fan. I may also rehash my experiences of following games and events from (most likely) the comfort of my couch—celebrating the sheer joy of a last-minute win or the solemnity of a season-ending injury.
If you haven’t figured out by now, I won’t be pouring over statistics into the wee hours of the night, nor will I claim to have insider information from the locker rooms. What I will do, or try to do, is present to readers a monthly water cooler vibe. A safe space for other Average Joes and Janes who love sports but not enough to be Expert Joes and Janes. With a focus mainly on sports subjects unique to the Chambana area, my insights will be grounded in the collective joy and heartache of the average C-U fan, hopefully making my material not only accessible but also authentic.
Despite my indifferent tone, I look forward to writing about a subject that I love and shining a spotlight on the local men, women, boys, and girls who pour their all into their respective sports. Chambana and the surrounding communities are full of people doing amazing things in the sporting world and deserve to be acknowledged and discussed.
And the great thing about sports is that even an Average Joe like me can be a part of all the glory.