Of course, basking in reflected glory isn't the only reason why fans turn out for a game. There's also the element of escapism, notes Pedersen. "The chance to immerge yourself in a subdrama that has a logical beginning and end."

Still, there's no denying that being a fan is also hard work. It's a lot like airline travel, says Keith Henschen, University of Utah professor of sports psychology. Think of the tiny seats with not enough leg room, the lack of personal space, the fact that you have no control over whether you get to your destination or not.

Factor in the cold and rain and snow, and the fact that you're expected to watch violent action on the field and yet remain civil yourself, and it's a wonder why, by and large, fans behave well at all.

"Utah fans are better than most," Henschen says. "We're more educated, and we have a higher standard of what's acceptable and what isn't. . . . Most of the time, our crowds self-monitor. They're not throwing bottles at people."

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E-mail: jarvik@desnews.com