Poor turnout at games sends larger message
Michael Martinez
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Sports
I understand our student population is very busy, and attending women's sports is not exactly on the top of everyone's to-do list. But if we fail to show the common courtesy of supporting our own student-athletes, what will the little girl considering trying out for her grade school's basketball team think? Will she be as likely to consider the rewards of athletics when she looks at the empty stands?
I doubt it.
She'll most likely fall into the stereotype of becoming another cheerleader or air-brushed picture on a magazine, just to get some attention.
I don't really care if you like women's basketball or not. It doesn't come down to that.
It doesn't come even come down to how well the team is doing. Just look at how few people show up for tomorrow's game against Green Bay, a battle of the two teams tied for first place in the conference.
If no one shows up, the team won't care. Sure, they'd probably like to play in front of an actual student section. But they won't lose confidence in themselves just because no one else shows enough respect to support them.
What it really comes down to is how we want the next generation to grow up. We all have at least some responsibility to the young girls who look to our female student-athletes for guidance. If we turn our back on the women's teams, what will they do?
I doubt it.
She'll most likely fall into the stereotype of becoming another cheerleader or air-brushed picture on a magazine, just to get some attention.
I don't really care if you like women's basketball or not. It doesn't come down to that.
It doesn't come even come down to how well the team is doing. Just look at how few people show up for tomorrow's game against Green Bay, a battle of the two teams tied for first place in the conference.
If no one shows up, the team won't care. Sure, they'd probably like to play in front of an actual student section. But they won't lose confidence in themselves just because no one else shows enough respect to support them.
What it really comes down to is how we want the next generation to grow up. We all have at least some responsibility to the young girls who look to our female student-athletes for guidance. If we turn our back on the women's teams, what will they do?
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