By ROB CURTIS
Staff Writer
 

You may think that this quote sounds like it came from a recent discussion I had over a chicken dinner in Commons, however this is right out of an article from our own Bates Student. I wouldn't expect any of you to have noticed the article from which the quote originated because it was published in September of 1901. The point is I am not the first to pick up the pen and try to persuade the Bates student body to engage themselves in cheering for our institution's representatives on the athletic field.

As any of the regulars know, attendance at most sporting events is usually quite sparse. Obviously we are not a Michigan or a Notre Dame and are not going to draw an overwhelming crowd to see a Bates athletic event. However, what we happen to be is a "community" where the athletes on the field are most likely people with whom you share a plate of chicken in commons. When times are tough, a friendly shout from the sidelines may be all that is needed to pick a team up or give an athlete the incentive to play that much harder to win.

The apathetic attitudes which most Batesies have towards attending Bates sporting events need to be addressed. (As much as I would love to open up this debate to areas of relevant importance such as attendance of the Theater shows and musical concerts, this is the sports section, and they only give me so much space.) Any one who has gone to this school for even a short time has been introduced to the woes of the Bobcat Football team. Yet, does a majority of the garnet population go to support those individuals who each week after hours of grueling practice show up to defend the pride of the school on Saturdays in the fall? If you can't answer that question you are not alone because quite a few people on this campus never go. Ask yourself where's the field hockey field? Did you know that Bates has a golf team?

Most of the people on this campus are eager for Bates to have the highest possible standing, but fail to share in helping to achieve this goal. They only spread the word of the final score- good or bad. The fact is that they didn't see the emotion and hard work which went into the score no matter the tally. Some of us seem so wound up in our busy schedules that we feel inclined to neglect the work which others have poured so much into. I ask you "how hard is it to go support a friend, a fellow Batesie, for five minutes?" After all, they are there representing you. Not to mention that they have invested a substantial amount of their personal time to be there. Time which everyone at this school knows is hard to come by.

You can make a difference. One person's voice in the crowd can be heard. As a former college athlete I can attest to the importance of having a crowd for support; fans make an individual strive further when there is something or someone to strive for. In 1988-89 the NCAA Basketball Press Kit rated Alumni Gym as one of the toughest gyms in the nation for opponents to play in. The reason for this is not the physical dimensions of the gym itself but the fans! Back then the gym was so overloaded that they had to move the crowd back off the floor so the other team could inbound the ball! I ask you... what happened to those days? Why should it be any different now? The teams may not be as competitive but those are still our friends out there. They eat chicken just like you and I and they deserve praise for their hard work and determination. Where better to give that praise than on the sidelines.

FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT....FIGHT ON FOR BATES!