This is a St. Thomas-wide alert. This is a call to action. Stop whatever you are doing and go to a St. Thomas sporting event.
It has been disappointing to see the number of students, or lack thereof, at sporting events this season. I attend almost every game either as a broadcaster or a TommieMedia reporter. I always come to a game imagining a great atmosphere with tons of students, only to be disappointed.
Players feed off a crowd; it gives them energy. So just imagine what the players must be thinking as they come out to warm up in front of no one.
Besides the game against St. John’s this season, there have been many empty seats at men’s basketball games, which is rather confusing. St. Thomas has been ranked in the top 15 nationally this season, and is one of the best basketball teams in the state based on record and ranking. What happened?
During my freshman year, we filled the old Schoenecker arena to the point of explosion. The place would get so loud you could hardly hear the person standing next to you. We used to be one of the most exciting places to play in the MIAC. Now there are entire sections left open.
For women’s basketball games the attendance is embarrassing. The pep band makes up the majority of the student section. The Tommies have been top three in the MIAC all season. This is a talented team, one that will be good for years to come with talented freshmen Taylor Young, Maggie Weiers and Kelly Brandenburg. Even filling up two of the sections in the new Schoenecker Arena would make a difference.
Distance shouldn’t matter
I realize the hockey games are played off campus, but there are ways to get out to Mendota Heights. St. Thomas Activities and Recreation sometimes provides free transportation to games, so why not take advantage of it?
The men’s hockey team has been among the best in the MIAC. The team has picked up huge wins against MIAC powerhouse Gustavus and has obliterated teams such as Bethel. These are exciting, fast-paced games, but I was disappointed with attendance a few weeks ago.
The Tommies were hosting MIAC-best Hamline. The Pipers outnumbered Tommie fans easily. The Piper fans were on their feet the entire game, doing all sorts of chants and creating a home-like experience for Hamline. It is embarrassing when the away team has more fans than the home team.
The women’s hockey team is like the others mentioned in this article — among the best in the MIAC. The Tommies picked up a dramatic win against Gustavus in front of a small student section. This is a team that always seems to hang around with the best teams nationally and in the MIAC.
With playoffs approaching, go to a game
All four of these teams will be in upcoming playoffs. Get to a game and make some noise. I mean some real noise, not just clapping after a good defensive stop or after getting some points. Make Schoenecker Arena as exciting as it used to be. Get out to Mendota Heights and re-take home advantage.
As Tommies, we have some of the most successful athletic teams in the MIAC. This is the time when we must come together as students to help carry our teams through the playoffs and bring home some national championships.
Brian Woitte can be reached at bmwoitte@stthomas.edu.
The Tommie Men’s Tennis Team had about a hundred people at it’s match. All the chairs were filled and students were sitting on the floor aginst the walls. Very cool when there is support for the teams at St.Thomas. The basketball games are also fun to attend.
I agree 100%. We’ve got a bunch of fair-weather fans here at St. Thomas. Maybe we should take some advice from our neighbors in Wisconsin.
It would be nice to see more fans at games…however, I bet I know two reasons why the stands aren’t filled (at least they’re my reasons for not being there): work and homework. People who work retail and other jobs often work nights and weekends, which is when events are. Homework takes priority over everything else during the week. Hopefully the playoffs get better!
@Stefan
This is St. Thomas. Its probably more like: Plums and Tiffanys.
I’m not going to lie, I don’t go because I don’t care for sports. I’d rather do something else.
@ Paul, I’d say that’s rather cynical of you… while many do enjoy going out from time to time (as I do), I have three part time jobs to pay for college as well as taking 17+ credits per semester. If people do go out to a bar, they generally do that after 10 or 11 at night, and last time I checked, most sporting events happen before that anyway.
The problem I believe is two-fold. (1) People (largely) do not have a large sense of school spirit at St. Thomas, but honestly, its not surprising (see next reason). (2)While we may be a great D III school, it is still D III. One cannot take lessons “from Wisconsin” whose undergraduate base is 30,000 and ours is somewhere around 6,200. Our sports (sorry) are just not as exciting as a Badger football game (which, if you have a chance, go to one- its nuts!)
The well attended D-3 sports programs have a solid core of non-student followers, usually a combination of alumni and local residents. Student attendance in the more rural schools is generally better than urban schools for reasons stated above. For those who prefer accessibility to the game and athletes over a “party” atmosphere, the D-3 experience is a lot of fun. Most students though would rather party in their free time, also as stated above.
UST is starting to build a non-student presence in football; more needs to be done to attract local residents and alumni in the other sports.
It is going to take promotions to get students to the winter sports on a regular basis. Tee-shirts are fine, but some good bobble-heads would really do the trick.
@Paul
While this may be true for the “typical” St. Thomas student, I’m with Tom in working multiple jobs as well as 17 credits or so per semester… athletic events fall far down on the priority list.
@ Stefan- I agree.
Personally, I love sports. But when I have to trek up from my dorm [South Campus] to the AARC when its freezing cold and i’ve already been up there 2 times that day, I dont really have the energy or desire. I have been to a fair amount of sporting events, 6 football games, a few basketball, a couple hockey, including the tournament in Blaine and a swim meet. I dont have time to go to every one though. I think everyone should try to make an appearance at one game, because it is your school, but when I am paying this much for school, I need to study first, sports comes later.
On behalf of the UST quiz bowl team, I would like to invite Mr. Woitte to attend our next tournament. This would double our fan attendance.
@Stefan-17 credits and multiple jobs isn’t typical?
I think it’s more of a case of “Who cares?”
Students need to enjoy college life a little. Attending a Quiz Bowl Team Tournament/Music event would be fun too. Lots a students have; 15+ credits, jobs and are members of a team at St.Thomas. Sample life as a college student.
@ James, nicely played
Big weekend for the Tommies. Please come and support the Men’s Lacrosse team. http://www.stthomaslacrosse.com for all of the information.