2008 Woodie Awards
Fan support is at all time lows at games, athletes need to 'pass it forward'
Talitha Linden-Darrow
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Sports
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"Come on ref!! There's no way that was a foul! Open your eyes!" We are all familiar with those particular phrases being shouted from the stands at sporting events. They are coming from passionate fans as they watch their team getting penalized whether it truly was a foul or not. We have all experienced the rush that comes from being part of a huge crowd of fans at an intense game. Every time the whistle blows, we are all united in our feelings of elation or disgust. That electricity is transferred to the players when they see, hear and feel the support of their fans in the stands.
This weekend, there were multiple sporting events that took place on campus. The women's and men's soccer teams both played at home and came up with victories. The women's volleyball team also went 4-0 this weekend. Congratulations everyone! With all the athletic talent that we have here at Union College one might think our athletes would have larger crowds gathering to watch them play. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case. The crowds often number only in the teens or twenties especially at these less popular sports' contests. Of course many parents attend as well as siblings and the occasional friend. By contrast, football and the men's hockey and lacrosse games are pretty well attended. We need to show similar support for all of Union College athletics. As I've already mentioned, the soccer and volleyball teams, plus women's tennis and men's and women's rugby in the fall could use a little more encouragement. Women's hockey, both men's and women's basketball as well as the swimming and diving team, indoor track team in the winter and men's tennis, softball, baseball, outdoor track, and women's lacrosse in the spring would all benefit from more enthusiastic support.
This year, coaches have been talking to each other and have agreed to ask their athletes to come out and support their peers. From what I've seen, it seems to be working. The crowds are growing and within those crowds, you will see hockey players, football players, and basketball players all coming out to support other Union College athletes. From experience, I know there is nothing like playing in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd. The excitement is contagious. It is even possible for that excitement to elevate athletes' level of performance. But, playing in an almost empty arena can have the opposite effect. When athletes take the field or step out onto the court with almost no one there to watch, it can sap some of their intensity and drive; hopefully not enough to affect their performance, but it takes a toll especially if it happens game after game.
It shouldn't have to come down to the coaches requiring their players to go watch other sporting events, but it has gotten the ball rolling and since there are larger crowds in attendance, coaches should continue.
There are many talented athletes here at Union. It would be a shame for their talent to go unnoticed. Union College athletes are truly something. They are balancing a full academic schedule with practices and games, and even sacrificing portions of their vacations in order to participate in their chosen sport. It is difficult and requires a serious commitment. Let's make this commitment worthwhile for all our athletes whose seasons are in full swing now. Perhaps those of us who play winter and spring sports will all get a little more recognition for our hard work when our own seasons come around by this act of "paying it forward."
This weekend, there were multiple sporting events that took place on campus. The women's and men's soccer teams both played at home and came up with victories. The women's volleyball team also went 4-0 this weekend. Congratulations everyone! With all the athletic talent that we have here at Union College one might think our athletes would have larger crowds gathering to watch them play. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case. The crowds often number only in the teens or twenties especially at these less popular sports' contests. Of course many parents attend as well as siblings and the occasional friend. By contrast, football and the men's hockey and lacrosse games are pretty well attended. We need to show similar support for all of Union College athletics. As I've already mentioned, the soccer and volleyball teams, plus women's tennis and men's and women's rugby in the fall could use a little more encouragement. Women's hockey, both men's and women's basketball as well as the swimming and diving team, indoor track team in the winter and men's tennis, softball, baseball, outdoor track, and women's lacrosse in the spring would all benefit from more enthusiastic support.
This year, coaches have been talking to each other and have agreed to ask their athletes to come out and support their peers. From what I've seen, it seems to be working. The crowds are growing and within those crowds, you will see hockey players, football players, and basketball players all coming out to support other Union College athletes. From experience, I know there is nothing like playing in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd. The excitement is contagious. It is even possible for that excitement to elevate athletes' level of performance. But, playing in an almost empty arena can have the opposite effect. When athletes take the field or step out onto the court with almost no one there to watch, it can sap some of their intensity and drive; hopefully not enough to affect their performance, but it takes a toll especially if it happens game after game.
It shouldn't have to come down to the coaches requiring their players to go watch other sporting events, but it has gotten the ball rolling and since there are larger crowds in attendance, coaches should continue.
There are many talented athletes here at Union. It would be a shame for their talent to go unnoticed. Union College athletes are truly something. They are balancing a full academic schedule with practices and games, and even sacrificing portions of their vacations in order to participate in their chosen sport. It is difficult and requires a serious commitment. Let's make this commitment worthwhile for all our athletes whose seasons are in full swing now. Perhaps those of us who play winter and spring sports will all get a little more recognition for our hard work when our own seasons come around by this act of "paying it forward."
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