AU athletics has undergone major renovations in the last year, including everything from hiring a new athletic director to upgrading the varsity locker rooms. These changes open up a window for students to do something different on campus: support athletics.
A notorious problem for AU and its athletic programs is the lack of student participation. Many students blame it on our love for politics, our “wonkish attitudes,” as some might say. But politics and athletic traditions do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Athletics can be something all students can enjoy, regardless of whether they are Democrats and Republicans. This is especially true now with such high-quality teams, brand new coaches and facilities.
AU’s volleyball team has a 10-0 record, the best start in program history. Their coach, Barry Goldberg, has surpassed many, if not all of the volleyball records on campus. He has led the team to 589 wins in the 12 years he has been at AU.
However, volleyball is not our only successful sport. Both the wrestling and cross country teams have performed exceedingly well this year.
We have great sport teams, that cannot be contested. So, why don’t students show up? It cannot be a lack of student interest in athletics. Many AU students are avid sport fans. Nationals, Capitals, and various other sport team jerseys can be seen all over campus. The problem is not that students lack enthusiasm for sports, it’s that they do not attend on-campus events.
What students at AU really need is a tradition. Our University lacks the collective attitude that’s required to create traditions. Many of AU’s campus events are political, and thus very polarizing, so it can be hard to come together and cheer for one name.
But traditions are an important part of college life and culture. AU students are not graduating with a common bond to the University. They leave with a great resume and lots of experience, but they are without a day, or an event, that will draw them back to AU in the future.
There is an easy solution to this problem – athletics.
Many universities have traditions centered around their sports games. And although AU lacks a football team, we have other sports to create traditions around. Simply showing up at the volleyball games could be a new tradition. It’s that easy. There are even many benefits of going to an AU athletics event; they’re free, oftentimes there is food and soda, and occasionally new t-shirts are given out.
AU should not force anyone to go and support their student athletes. However, showing up at a volleyball game with friends can be something that AU students could enjoy. Go to a game, check it out, and have fun.
Who knows, maybe this year we can create some AU traditions. -E
edpage@theeagleonline.com
