In an idle moment, I decided to put together a test to see how hardcore of a fan you are.  This is designed to be a generic test, which can be used for your favorite teams of any sport (although it takes some tweaking for college sports).  I want to be clear that this test is for entertainment purposes only.  It isn’t intended to truly show who “real” fans are or to rank people; it's just for fun.  So if you feel like it, take the test and report your score for the Royals and/or any other of your favorite teams.

1.      How often do you watch/listen to/follow online gamecasts of  your favorite team’s games?

a.      Just about every game that I don’t actually go to (15 pts)

b.      Around ¾ of their games (10 pts)

c.      About ½ of their games (7 pts)

d.      Maybe ¼ of their games (5 pts)

e.      Rarely (1 pt)

f.        Never (0 pts)

2.      How often do you read about or vist internet sites about your favorite team?

a.      Multiple times a day (10 pts)

b.      Daily (8 pts)

c.      Semi-daily (6 pts)

d.      Weekly (4 pts)

e.      Monthly (2 pts)

f.        Rarely (1 pt)

g.      Never (0 pts)

3.      How often do you actually post something (article, comment, etc.) on an internet fan site or blog about your favorite team?

a.      Multiple times a day (10 pts)

b.      Daily (8 pts)

c.      Semi-daily (6 pts)

d.      Weekly (4 pts)

e.      Monthly (2 pts)

f.        Rarely (1 pt)

g.      Never (0 pts)

4.      How often do you yell or make similar loud, obnoxious noises while watching one of your favorite team’s games?

a.      3 or more times (5 pts)

b.      1-2 times (3 pts)

c.      Rarely (1 pt)

d.      Never (0 pts)

5.      Have you ever gotten into a heated argument with someone about your favorite team?

a.      Yes, often (5 pts)

b.      Yes, but rarely (3 pts)

c.      No, I control my feelings and don’t let it turn into a heated argument (1 pt)

d.      No, I’m an adult and wouldn’t argue about such things (0 pts)

6.      Do you have intense, negative feelings about one or more of your favorite team’s rivals?

a.      Yes, I hate them (5 pts)

b.      Yes, I don’t like them (3 pts)

c.      Not really.  Mild negative feelings maybe.  (1 pt)

d.      Rivalries are silly.  Can’t we all just enjoy a nice game? (-2 pts)

7.      Do you follow your favorite team’s draft (or recruiting for college teams)?

a.      Yes, I research prospective players and follow closely on draft day (signing deadline) (10 pts)

b.      Yes, pay attention on draft day and make sure I find out who my team drafted (5 pts)

c.      I try to read an article after the draft to see who my team picked up (2 pts)

d.      Not really (0 pts)

e.      Draft?  Is there a draft in here?  Somebody close the window (-2 pts)

8.      If your team trades a key player (or kicks a key player off the team for college teams), how long does it take you to find out?

a.      Within hours (10 pts)

b.      Same day (7 pts)

c.      The next day or two (3 pts)

d.      I’d probably eventually find out (1 pt)

e.      I really don’t pay much attention to individual players.  These are team sports after all. (-2 pts)

9.      How much apparel or merchandise do you own which has your favorite team’s logo or name on it?

a.      7 or more items (10 pts)

b.      5-6 items (8 pts)

c.      3-4 items (5 pts)

d.      1-2 items (2 pts)

e.      None (0 pts)

10. What percentage of the players on your team’s roster could you name?

a.      100% (10 pts)

b.      90% (7 pts)

c.      75% (5 pts)

d.      50% (3 pts)

e.      25% (1 pt)

f.        I told you it wasn’t about players; it’s about the team, man. (-2 pts)

11. Has your favorite team ever brought you to tears (either from joy, sorrow or both)?

a.      Many times (10 pts)

b.      Once or twice (5 pts)

c.      Never (0 pts)

12. If you had to choose between your team winning a championship or having “relations” with your favorite fantasy woman/man, which would you pick?

a.      Championship, baby! (10 pts)

b.      Gotta go with the hottie (0 pts)

Bonus Points

• If you have ever named a pet after your team or a player or coach on your team, give yourself 5 points.

• If you have ever named a child after your team or a player or coach on your team, give yourself 10 points.

• If you
  • attend some games every year, give yourself 5 points
  • attend about ¼ of their games, give yourself 10 points
  • attend about ½ of their games, give yourself 15 points
  • attend about ¾ of their games, give yourself 20 points
  • attend every single game, give yourself 30 points
(you only get one, not cumulative points here)

• Give yourself 10 points for every trip of more than 50 miles you have taken to see your team play anywhere in the most recent season.

• Give yourself 3 points for every autograph of a current or former player or coach on your favorite team that you’ve ever gotten or purchased.

And now for the totals:

85 or higher – You’re not just hardcore, you’re obsessed.  Your devotion and intensity is admirable, but this may not be healthy.  It might not be a bad idea to talk to a mental health professional.

65-84 – You’re definitely a hardcore fan, but you still have a grasp on reality and some semblance of a real life.  It’s time for you to ignore those other things and focus more on your favorite team.  Sack up and take it to the next level.

30-64 – You’re a true fan, but you’re about as hardcore as the Jonas Brothers.  Sure you like this team and want them to win, but it’s time to go to more games, watch them on TV more and spend more time on the internet.  Being a hardcore fan involves a lot of focused sitting.  If your butt isn’t getting bigger and your eyes aren’t getting worse, you just don’t care enough.

0-29 – I’m not sure you’re really a fan of this team at all.  I guess you’d rather they win than lose, but if they won a championship, are you sure you’d even notice?

Here’s how I did:

Royals – 108

Chiefs – 59

K-State basketball – 78

K-State football - 64