Let us set the stage. Drew Wilson, Averett University’s assistant director of athletics for communications and admissions is speaking into the microphone, saying the starting line-up. The bleachers are packed with parents and family of the players, but there are people missing. Where are all the students?
The student section for this year has been lacking in attendance. If not for football games, other fall sports have not been getting much love from their fellow student athletes. In general, there has been about an equivalent or similar attendance from students when looking at last year to this year. However, not everyone agrees that this is the trend.
“I think student participation has been good at games this year. I think students have taken a lot more initiative with their teams, also with themselves and other teams to try to encourage kids to come out to their games and others,” Lyndsey Sears, the coordinator of athletic programs and operations, said.
In the wake of the previous athletic director Meg Stevens leaving the university, a lot has changed for the university. However, her ideas have taken root and stayed. The One Team concept has still been prevalent even in her absence. Student lead organization leaders of SAAC (Student Athletics Advisory Committee) are trying to keep that alive.
“We believe that by having all teams sitting together at games, it increases the One Team mindset and creates a very supportive atmosphere for the team playing,” Brenda Light, public relations coordinator of SAAC, said.
The One Team dynamic is something that is important to student athletes when it comes to supporting one another. With having such a small campus, the student body is close to one another.
“A lot of my friends play on various teams; therefore, I always try to make sure I support them whenever they have games coming up,” Elisa Battermann, junior on the women’s tennis team, said.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in school events. The atmosphere is what generally makes me go out to games. If I know it is going to be a good game and the atmosphere is right, then I will go. It also helps when my friends are going, so I know the people I am with,” Cooper Perryman, sophomore on women’s golf team said.
Even the students themselves have thoroughly enjoyed coming to games and participating. However, there is always room for improvement. In previous years, the themes for games have been based off the school colors: blue, gold, and white. This year, SAAC is trying to produce new themes to get students more interactive.
“I know we will have several themed games this year so hopefully this will promote engagement and attendance too. We’ve changed a lot in our system of play this year and I’m confident this will positively impact our record,” Olivia Garner, co-president of SAAC, said.
With the new changes being added to games, with new themes being incorporated, the hope is to increase student participation for the rest of the school year. The biggest issue discussed when talking to students is knowing when games are and what to wear.
“I would think there would be more posts on the game as well as during the game with updates. Our Instagram feed should be a lot more in my opinion just with any types of posts,” Diego Giffuni, junior on the men’s soccer team said.
“I think games could be posted a little soon and more often to remind people to go out instead them being posted only on game days,” Ty Pearson, senior on the men’s lacrosse team, mentioned.
Despite the adversity that the student-athletes faced at the beginning of the year, they have still found a way to push through and come together. Congregating with one another, chanting, and rooting for their fellow athletes is what continues to make Averett so special.
