The women’s basketball team is in the midst of a historic season, racking up many accolades, setting program records and continuing to pile on wins. But, there is an area out of their control that seems to be lacking: support from the student section.
The men’s basketball team has not had a single home game this season with less than 1,000 people in attendance, according to the SJU Athletics website. The women’s team, however, did not have a crowd hit 1,000 until their second to last home game of the season Feb. 24 against Rhode Island (1,222).
The enthusiasm of the crowd during that game created a high-energy environment, but my question is: What took so long?
For a team that is setting program records, has lost just three times, going 24-3 (14-2 A-10) and is atop the Atlantic 10 conference, people should be showing up. They’re making program history, and not enough people are paying attention to witness it.
While the team continues to produce regardless of who is or isn’t there to watch, I just struggle to make sense of it.
Even if this was just another great season rather than a record one, their games are always entertaining. They’re a fun team to watch, constantly moving the ball and constantly battling on the court.
When I go on Instagram after a game, I see an influx of people reposting the final score from the men’s games, but only a handful do the same for the women’s games.
The St. Joe’s community needs to start giving the women’s teams the same attention they give the men’s teams. They’ve certainly earned it.