Sports at Stanislaus State: Is there enough school spirit?
By: John Sumser
Issue date: 5/20/09 Section: Sports
Warrior sports games are still filled with the usual entourage of supporting family members, friends and coaches. However, some students and athletes think that the student body has lost its school spirit.
Athletes who attend California State University, Stanislaus strive to improve the way they play. Hours upon hours of practice and hard work are required for the athletes to represent the school to the fullest.
Unlike the high-energy pep rallies, packed stadiums and painted banners of high school, school spirit is fairly tepid at this university.
"School spirit helps give more support to the athletes. The more support and enthusiasm there is, the more energized athletes will feel helping them to play better in order to win games," said Monica Ochoa, a second year student. "In high school everyone knew about games because they were announced and the big sporting events had rallies to follow the game."
Jorge Belmonte, a second year student and intercollegiate soccer player, agrees.
"There was more of an effort of the student body to add hype to the games which led to more support from the overall students [in high school.] Athletes try harder when representing students who support them," Belmonte said.
It appears that CSU Stanislaus students have forgotten how to cheer and support their athletes.
"Not many people show up to the games and not many events are held throughout the day to let students know how the team is doing," Belmonte said.
Belmonte believes that his fellow soccer team members deserve peer support since he and his teammates practice three times a week for about two hours a day. With all the athletes clocking in hours of practice and game time, some would think that there would be more of a positive response from the student body.
As Ochoa said, it seems as though in high school, sports and rallies were unifying events that enabled all the students to support one another. However, at CSU Stanislaus, it seems as if it is just another thing that divides everyone.
Athletes who attend California State University, Stanislaus strive to improve the way they play. Hours upon hours of practice and hard work are required for the athletes to represent the school to the fullest.
Unlike the high-energy pep rallies, packed stadiums and painted banners of high school, school spirit is fairly tepid at this university.
"School spirit helps give more support to the athletes. The more support and enthusiasm there is, the more energized athletes will feel helping them to play better in order to win games," said Monica Ochoa, a second year student. "In high school everyone knew about games because they were announced and the big sporting events had rallies to follow the game."
Jorge Belmonte, a second year student and intercollegiate soccer player, agrees.
"There was more of an effort of the student body to add hype to the games which led to more support from the overall students [in high school.] Athletes try harder when representing students who support them," Belmonte said.
It appears that CSU Stanislaus students have forgotten how to cheer and support their athletes.
"Not many people show up to the games and not many events are held throughout the day to let students know how the team is doing," Belmonte said.
Belmonte believes that his fellow soccer team members deserve peer support since he and his teammates practice three times a week for about two hours a day. With all the athletes clocking in hours of practice and game time, some would think that there would be more of a positive response from the student body.
As Ochoa said, it seems as though in high school, sports and rallies were unifying events that enabled all the students to support one another. However, at CSU Stanislaus, it seems as if it is just another thing that divides everyone.
Be the first to comment on this story