re: .

The easy answer is no, but I think there are distinctions.

To me a legit fan does more than just watch some of the games, brag when their team wins, or buys merchandise. A legit fan knows about some of the history of the program and its traditions.

Collegiate sports have been branded, and people like to feel a part of the popular brand. Thus bandwagon fans are not legit fans. Yet this image of brand superiority is a common denominator amongst all fans.

For me, graduating from LSU gives me an intimate relationship with the school, and it has helped to further my fandom. However, I'll admit that I am a fair weather LSU basketball fan, and I'm sure there are plenty of non alums that fill in as legit fans.

Finally, I think the reason why most people look down upon non alumni as fans is that they often associate them with the dregs of society that make Louisiana look bad while wearing an LSU hat from Walmart.