Howard University’s students are known for their dedication to academics, but that spirit of enthusiasm is sometimes less apparent toward school sporting events.
With all that Howard University has to offer, one would think that its students would congregate more often in support of their teams.
Some students make the walk across the yard, passing the gates that surround Greene Stadium every day as they make their way to classes in Burr Gymnasium.
People filled Greene Stadium for homecoming and during Midnight Madness, there was Standing Room Only in Burr Gymnasium, but if you come into Burr on a night that the volleyball team is playing an opposing team attendance is slightly lacking.
When the soccer team takes the field every Sunday during their regular season, Greene Stadium isn’t as full as it is during homecoming.
Sports Information Director Ed Hill said that the student participation in team sports outside of football and basketball is the way it is because in America, those are the two major sports, and they bring in the most support from the students.
“Students come out to the football games, because it’s a social setting,” Hill said. “It’s a chance for them to walk around and catch up with their friends while listening to the band. Same with basketball games, students come out to the games to see the Bisonettes perform and find out where’s the after party for the game.”
Hill also said that other sports outside of football do not generate large crowds, because the students don’t seem to have any knowledge of when the games are taking place.
“Football games are held on a Saturday when the students have the most free time, and the big name basketball games are held on either Friday or Saturday so that allows for students to come and enjoy the game,” Hill said.
“Sports like soccer and volleyball usually happen during the week or on a Sunday when students’ schedules are not conducive to come out and support their fellow Bison.”
Senior public relations major, Sharon Taylor who works in the sports information office, is also aware of the lack of school spirit here at Howard. Taylor, who is an avid sports watcher, would love it if her fellow Bison could get into the spirit of supporting every team here at Howard.
“It would be great to see a packed stadium for a soccer or lacrosse game. But the reality is that it will not happen if the team is not winning,” Taylor said.
He continued, “I love working for Mr. Hill and I know the hard work that goes into ensuring each game outside of football and basketball is run successfully. So it would be nice to see the school come out and support these hard working athletes, and the efforts that go into ensuring that they are able to play in our facilities every week.”
Courtney Young, a senior political science major and outfielder for the Lady Bison softball team, seems to be indifferent about the lack of support from her peers.
“I understand that those are the revenue sports so they are going to draw a larger crowd, but they are also the teams with the most loosing season,” Young said. “We lost 22 of 53 of our games last year, and we won the MEAC championship in 2006. Yet we still have a low following. That’s mostly because we are not a popular sport. I run across people that aren’t even aware that we even have a softball team here at Howard.”
Young also said that until something is done to increase the awareness of the other sporting teams Howard has to offer, the crowd turn out and school participation will remain the same.
Be the first to comment on this article!