Editor:

It’s safe to say that the Saints are the heartbeat of New Orleans. An indescribable aura surrounds the team and their magical, and seemingly destined, season. This is an organization that endured a nomadic 3-13 season only a year ago, and has since cleaned out their entire coaching staff along with unwanted players. With a fresh philosophy under Sean Payton and the on-field exploits of new faces like Brees, Bush and Colston, along with past heroes like Deuce and Horn, the Saints have united to achieve unforeseen success this year.

New Orleans is a city with a soul embodied in sports. From Saints-themed sermons on Sunday mornings to citywide “black and gold” days like last Friday before the Eagles game, this city embraces sports as a microcosm of its lifestyle and attitude, which makes the Saints’ success extra special in the midst of an ongoing recovery and rebuilding process.

The Saints’ extraordinary run can be attributed to many reasons. Some may say that divine intervention or grace has played a role. Others may simply say that the Saints have maybe the most talent of any team in the franchise’s 40 year history. Whatever the case, this football team is a perfect representation of the resurgence of the city and its people.

However, there is still much work to be done. While the Saints have represented the success that has been achieved so far, another New Orleans pro sports franchise symbolizes the work that is to come.

The Hornets basketball team is based in Oklahoma City this season but has a six game schedule at the New Orleans Arena. As an avid fan and season ticket holder, I have realized that the Hornets’ situation differs from the Saints’ because it represents the potential for progress in New Orleans’ future rather than the progress that has already occured. Their displacement and injury-riddled season are metaphors for the adversity that is still present for New Orleanians, natives or not, who are taking part in the rebirth of our city.

The Hornets will make a full-time return to New Orleans next season, and hopefully, if they enjoy a level of success somewhere near the Saints’, it will provide another stepping stone in this endeavor. Like the Saints, we have accomplished a lot already, but like the Hornets, there is much more work to be done in the coming future.

Sincerely,

Andy Pham

English writing freshman