Roger Cooper’s fanatical sabbatical is over but the sharing of what he learned is just beginning

Roger Cooper is still struggling a little bit with the fact that his beloved Kansas City Chiefs lost Super Bowl LIX earlier this month in New Orleans versus the Philadelphia Eagles. But, the Scripps College of Communication Media Arts and Studies professor says his Chiefs-themed sabbatical during fall semester where he attended every Chiefs game of the of the 2024 NFL season, including playoffs and the Super Bowl, to explore his lifelong obsession with the team was a resounding success.

“It was really an amazing experience. To travel around the country, meet so many people at the different venues and in the different cities while deepening relationships with the fans I sit with in Section 319 where my season tickets are located at Arrowhead, it was just great,” said Cooper.

Cooper said while he knew the other fans in section 319 before this season, something much deeper happened this season.

“We got to know each other a lot better. Before we knew just first names, but this season we had deep conversations and developed a deeper relationship that I think I will carry on,” said Cooper. “I think the fact that I did what I did this season made the Super Bowl loss a little easier to take because I had a mindset about how amazing the overall experience was. I can look at this season as a whole, rather than just the last game.”

Cooper learned that Chiefs gear and clothing helped him to build stronger bonds and connections with other fans.

“People loved my shoes,” said Cooper with a laugh. “I have a pair of Chiefs shoes, and I got so many compliments on those shoes. I found that because of what I was wearing, I could quickly start a conversation and connect. Fandom connection allowed us to talk easily. I wish we all could do that in other ways.”

In addition to developing stronger friendships with his fellow Chiefs fans, Cooper also found that traveling all over the country gave him the opportunity to reconnect in person with Ohio University alumni.

“One surprising thing I didn’t really think of when I was planning all of this was the ability to meet with alums that I wouldn’t have been able to see otherwise,” said Cooper. “I met up with alumni in almost all the cities I’ve traveled to.”

Cooper, who worked professionally as a sportswriter, has published an award-winning book, 25+ journal articles and presented 50+ conference papers, most recently focusing on cross-platform audience behaviors and sports fandom. Cooper attended all 20 Chiefs regular season and playoff games in person and even went to a Taylor Swift concert to explore fandom. The experience allowed Cooper to take a deep dive into why he has such a deeply held fandom towards the Chiefs. He explored this story from the perspective of a true fan. And now he plans to write another book and create a podcast to talk about what he learned.

“I think what I want to write about has shifted. I now want to explore the meaning of identity and purpose that manifests itself from being a fan,” said Cooper. “Throughout all of this I learned a lot about myself and my place in this world.”

Scripps College Junior Jenna Skidmore, a media arts production major, assisted Cooper with creating videos and posting on social media during the sabbatical.

“She was absolutely amazing,” said Cooper. “I could not have chronicled this journey on social media without her.”

Cooper returned to the classroom at the beginning of spring semester. He says after a semester of embracing his fandom completely, it’s been an adjustment.

“It’s been hard to get back into teaching, especially with the playoffs going on as the semester began," Cooper said with a laugh. “But I’m getting back into the swing of things. I’m looking forward to working on the book and sharing everything I learned.”

If you want to look back on Cooper’s journey, check out his “Coop in the Kingdom” Instagram and Facebook pages.