The Sports Guy

Last week, the GCSU women’s soccer team played Columbus State University (CSU). CSU is first place and undefeated in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC). The game marked the highest home attendance of the season, with 178 people showing up to support our ladies.
This made me wonder why this game received better attendance than the other six home games. The fact is that a student created a Facebook event invitation to generate student support.
This raised two questions in my head. One: Does publicizing a game on Facebook help increase attendance? Two: Do facebook invitations cloud the purpose of sporting events?
First of all, I believe that Facebook is a great tool to help advertise a game. I mean, come on, what student is not connected to facebook? Sophomore Katie Knothe also believes that facebook helps.
“I think Facebook is a great way to advertise GCSU sports,” Knothe said. “A lot of times people don’t realize when games are. Sometimes people don’t see the flyers because books are on top of them, but everyone has a Facebook profile.”
As for hindering the purpose of the game, I believe this is Facebook’s biggest flaw. If a student is invited to a game through Facebook it becomes more about socializing and less about supporting the team. Students begin to show up and not pay attention to what is happening in the game.
“If a person gets involved in the game, depends on the person,” said freshman Mike Egan. “If you go there to socialize, then you are going to socialize. If you go to watch and enjoy the game then that is what you’re going to do.”   
This bothers me. If you show up at the game, please maintain some sort of interest in the game. These athletes work extremely hard; the least you can do is cheer them on. It is a slap in the face to show up and not cheer.
For those who do particpate and cheer for our team, please reach out and teach ignorant fans how it is done.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 6 2006. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry