2008 Woodie Awards
Lack of enthusiasm discouraging to fans, insulting to athletics
Erinn Abernathy
Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: Sports
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The game was really exciting, Garden City and Hutch battled back and forth, with the lead changing several times. I'm on my feet, cheering in my heels while the rest of my friends sat on the bleachers like bumps on a log. I'm begging them to stand up and at least show some sign of enthusiasm toward the game. As I look around, not many more students are on their feet cheering on the Busters. Not even our own cheerleaders seemed interested as to what was happening on the court.
The lack of school spirit, it's something I've dealt with since I was a cheerleader back in high school. I should be used to it by now, but it still doesn't register in my mind. There's an action-packed game going on right before our eyes, and there's not much response from the student section. Why aren't we more motivated to cheer on the Busters?
When people do paint their chests or wear crazy outfits and try to get the crowd pumped up, it's deemed as inappropriate. For example, the first night several guys painted letters on their chests to spell out "BUSTERS," they were loud, entertaining, and on their feet chanting and trying to get more fans involved. But during the first half, security escorted them out of the gymnasium because the guys were taunting the referees on a series of questionable calls. The guys were admitted back in moments later. Security was right to do so because some of the content of the chants was inappropriate. But for crying out loud, this is a college game, not a junior high game.
One should expect fans to not only be rooting for the home team, but also hurling out insults toward the other team.
I want to see more of that, that is, school spirit. School spirit shows that there are people who will go out of their way and support their team. I'm not saying we should all put on an outfit and yell at the top of our lungs for two hours straight, but if we're going to support our Buster athletics, we should make them feel that we want to be there. If the team has their home crowd behind them, it will help them out. I can understand when your favorite team is down and there's no hope for them to turn around, so why cheer? But it drives me crazy to see fans just sit on their butts and look miserable, especially when the home team is winning and playing great. Are we afraid to cheer, or are we more interested in the convervations amongst ourselves?
I've noticed when there are promotions that reward the craziest fan, people participate. I hope to see more of those in the future. The "craziest fan" reward should not be limited to only one person, instead should be more rewards for more participants given out, such as T-shirts and certificates. I'd like to see merchandise such as pom-poms and posters sold before games so fans have props to cheer along with. I'd like to see more themed nights, say if you wear brown and gold, you get into the game for free. I'm positive that if school spirit is promoted, more students, faculty, staff, and fans of all ages will get involved.
School spirit is fun and appreciated and there is nothing wrong or stupid with showing a little school spirit. We may not be at Allen Fieldhouse, but that shouldn't stop us from rocking out the Perryman Athletic Complex and cheering on the Busters like we are.
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