Where's the School Spirit? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Where's the School Spirit?

Supporting your school should be a pretty big deal, but why isn't it a big deal where I go?

17
Where's the School Spirit?
Bahram Jamalov

I attend a small, private school in the southwest part of Missouri called Southwest Baptist University. There are a lot of great things about SBU, but also a couple things that aren’t the best. The one thing that I wanna talk about is the school spirit here, or should I say the lack thereof. If you were to attend a game of any sport at SBU, you would see the truth behind this. Our students just simply don't come to sporting events. The biggest example of this is the lack of student attendance at football games. Although our school's football program is having one the best seasons in program history, students still aren't coming. The student section is quite pitiful to say the least. Along with the lack of student attendance, the participation is also lackluster, with the exception of a few students. Most people just sit down the entire game and only cheer for the big plays and aren't really into the game. Football isn't the only sport this is evident with either, it pertains to all sports at SBU.

A great student section can do so much for a team, that most people don't realize. If a team has a loud, supporting student section, it gives an extra sense of motivation. Just having your school cheering you on and yelling at the top of their lungs is great for athletes to hear because it means that they have the support of their school on their side and it's going to make them want to compete even better to reward the support of the crowd. Support can be a great motivating factor for teams. Now, if a team looks into the stands and sees a small, unsupportive student section, it's disheartening to the team that’s playing and could even take them out of the game all together.

It isn't that hard to come to a game and be supportive. I get it, we're college students and are busy with school, or even have jobs, but you can take a break from those things sometimes. With the exception to work, students simply don't want to go to games. They see these events as unimportant and are not worth going to, but that's simply not true. I'm not saying that everyone who comes should be decked out in school colors and be absolutely crazy the whole time, but you should be supportive and be involved with the game. This goes with every sport too, not just the supposed "big" sports, like football or basketball, but every sport.

Now, the blame isn't completely on the student body, but it's partially on the athletes themselves. I'm sure you're wondering how athletes could be to blame for this, well I will tell you. This doesn't pertain to all athletes, but there are a lot of athletes that don’t like to really interact with non-athletes. They'll have a couple friends here and there that are non-athletes, but other than that there friends consist of athletes, particularly in the sports they play and this is a part of the problem. Why would students want to come out and support a bunch of people that don't even bother to associate with them. Then there's some athletes that are so into who they are and their friend group, that they actually turn people away from them with their actions. If athletes want more students to come to games and give more support then give them a reason to want to come. Create relationships with people who don’t play sports and be open to the student body. Doing this will definitely help with student attendance.

In conclusion, support your school. It doesn't matter if your team is undefeated or winless, show some support for your school. Be there to show them that you've got their back win or lose. And athletes be open to students and be inviting to get students to come to games. Sporting events are all exciting in their own unique way and can be even more exciting if an entire student body comes together to cheer on their school. SBU has the opportunity to have one of the best student sections in the nation, in every sport, if we come together and support our athletes in what they do.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

180284
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

7326
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

452538
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23307
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments