As players line the field, preparing for the game to start, they see their coaches yelling from the sideline. But when they look beyond the sideline, the stands are half-filled, mostly occupied by family and friends. Very few students are scattered throughout.
The St. Joe’s field hockey team, who are reigning Atlantic 10 Conference champions, and the men’s rugby team, who have been National Championship contenders for the past four seasons, experience this phenomenon on a regular basis during their respective seasons.
The success that field hockey attained in the 2018 season was not a surprise, as they were regular season A-10 champions in the previous two seasons. Even while being ranked as a top 10 team in the nation this past season, fan support from the stands was low.
Similarly, the men’s rugby team has excelled at a high level, reaching the DIAA National Championship Tournament each of the past two seasons while also garnering their first number one ranking in program history. The team’s student support doesn’t seem to correspond with their recent success.
Even though the men’s basketball team is currently in the bottom quarter of the A-10 standings, the student section remains strong with support. What has to happen for similar support to be given to our other teams? If winning isn’t what students need to show up, what is?
I, for one, show up to each basketball game screaming until my voice is raw no matter if the team is expected to win or be crushed. I find joy in watching the team play with their passion on their sleeves, fighting each game to win.
As a child, I was exposed to basketball–playing, watching and cheering. Maybe that’s why I, like so many others, attend every men’s basketball game screaming for the Hawks to win. It wasn’t until arriving at St. Joe’s that I was exposed to field hockey.
The first time I attended a field hockey game, I’ll admit, I was bored. I didn’t know what was going on. After learning more about the game, I found the same passion I have with the men’s basketball team with the players of the field hockey team.
Field hockey’s success is unprecedented amongst all sports at St. Joe’s. The fierce battles faced by this team throughout the season are unlike any other. If you don’t know much about field hockey, watch a game and learn. Don’t use ignorance as a reason to not attend. Field hockey is a sport that might appeal to students if they took the time to learn about it.
If it’s passion you’re looking for in a sports team, the field hockey may be the team you should be watching. Not only do they have the same drive to win as any other sports team at St. Joes, they are actually succeeding.
While the field hockey season is over for this academic year, the spring season for the men’s rugby is set to begin on Mar. 23. The team is looking to excel far beyond what they did last year.
The rugby games are played on Sweeney Field, right in the heart of campus. This spring, students have the opportunity to show support to one of the two teams on Hawk Hill that are truly excelling in their respective sport. It is time for the student body to step up and cheer on the teams most deserving of support.
