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Current Issue: Volume 130, Number 1 July 14, 2009

Ed/Op


Staff Editorial
Take time to support RPI’s athletic teams

Posted 10-04-2006 at 1:16PM

Last weekend, our women’s ice hockey team played its opening game against Boston College; while the Engineers lost 2-1, they certainly held their own. Not only was this the Engineers’ premiere game as a Division I ECACHL member, but BC is the 10th ranked team in the country. The Engineers deserve an immense amount of credit for their play, and the fanbase is also owed some thanks. With that said, we hope that the size of the crowd that was in attendance for the opener will be the norm this year rather than the exception, and that attendance at other athletic events also increases.

According to the box score, roughly 1,300 people attended the women’s ice hockey opening game. With the exception of one game, that’s more than double the attendance at any of the games last year, even though the matches are free to attend—unlike the men’s games, for which students pay a nominal fee. At the men’s games, however, it is clear that there is a crowd to support the team in spite of the ticket costs—though, we’ll grant that it may not be as large as it would be at many other universities.

Not only is going to games a fun channel through which to show school spirit, it also helps the team. When team members are interviewed, they often point out that having a crowd to play for helps an immense amount. Last year, Go Be Red teams helped to increase spirit and the size of the crowds at sports events, and this year the Red Army seems to be doing the same thing. Our hope is that the attendance at the games does not drop off substantially. The team, coaches, administrators, and others have put an incredible amount of work into the elevation to D-I over several years, and the benefits are starting to pay off—now they just need crowds to watch them succeed. People should make an effort to go look up the athletics schedule, go to a game, and show support to their peers on the teams.



Posted 10-04-2006 at 1:16PM
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