Start supporting the teams we got
Editor’s note: This special column is appearing in the sports section because this topic deserves to be discussed.)
Dear Editor,
During the many years that I’ve attended Georgia College & State University sports events, student apathy has been widespread. Few students attend games and, of those that do, most are lackadaisical. Occasionally, some students become rambunctious (some obnoxious heckling, but more often what I refer to as ‘positive noise!’) which has become rare these days. Spring sports events, such as men’s and women’s basketball, tennis, baseball and softball, for example, can be enlivening and a welcome diversion from squabbling with a roommate or endless online chatting. You should try it sometime!
Consider this too: All of our student athletes face enormous challenges and sacrifices. They spend many hours every day practicing their sport. Travel time to away games, frequently outside the state, cut into academics and social lives. When they are not traveling, they’re required to attend study hall in order to make the grades necessary to just stay on the team. They are skilled athletes, and devoted – to their sport and to their school. All of this in addition to attending the same number of classes that non-athletic students do. They are your classmates – who I can assure you attend class every day, unless they are away with their team. Win or lose, student athletes deserve our support.
Recently, a group of students met to form what I hope will be a Bobcat Brigade: a collection of students whose goal is to formulate and implement ways of enticing students to sports events and generating enthusiasm while at the games. Would you be willing to: gather around a bonfire before the game to “rally the troops,” attend a game as a group (Greeks, clubs, dorms) to compete against another group during halftimes, attend a game to observe your instructors bamboozle their students while taking free throw shots from half court. Rest assured that sight might be preferable to a pie in the face. A tailgate supper before/during a conference baseball or softball game?
Let us know your thoughts, what it would take to get you a sports event and keep you there! A gentle reminder that most games are over way before you’re thinking about the trek downtown! Share your ideas with your Resident Hall Directors and Assistants, or e-mail me at k.martin@gcsu.edu or call me at 445-0969. I look forward to hearing from many of you – and seeing you at the games!
Sincerely,
Kathleen Martin
Political Science professor
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Jan 16 2004. Filed under Sports.
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