University Sports – More than just a game.

Athletes talk about the visibility of UNBSJ sports in the campus and community

By Rafał Szymański

The Athletics Department at our school exists as a community within a community.  “All the teams are here to support one another” says Andrew, a student playing for the UNBSJ basketball team.

If the athletics department at UNBSJ isn’t exactly the first thing that pops up in conversation among students or the community when talking about our school, then maybe it should be. Far too many non-athletes simply don’t appreciate what an important of campus life this is.

The UNBSJ basketball teams hosted a competition on Saturday night, providing entertainment and revealing school spirit.  The sounds of the game were heard from the university parking lot.  Upon entrance into the Athletics center, the atmosphere changed.  One could no longer ignore the referee’s whistles or the fact that the screaming from coaches’ and players alike was getting louder and louder.

Two of our athletes, Cory Meehan and Andrew Naismith, agreed to speak to the Baron about their experiences as athletic representatives of our school. When asked about school spirit both athletes spoke enthusiastically.

“We are full of spirit, I mean look at the stands today” said Cory Meehan.  “People have been talking about these games for a week and a half now because it’s good competition.”  The mood was similar with Andrew Naismith who simply stated that “we get our fans out and they always support us.”

Saturday indeed was an eye opener.  Granted there were also volleyball games on at the same time, the gym attracted a sizeable crowd that was not afraid of cheering in support or jeering at the opposition.  The crowd was a welcome sight, and a good sign for the community’s interest in UNBSJ sports.

When asked about increasing game attendance on a regular basis, both athletes had plenty to say.  Andrew argued that unless “you come towards the gym, you probably don’t know when the games are.”

“In residence you hear a lot about the volleyball teams, but not much about the basketball teams.”

Although the majority of the community continues to remain in the dark about when games are being played, Cory is optimistic.

“This year they started putting advertisements on the big screen by Tim Horton’s” explained Cory.  Being a high-traffic area this brings hope to the on-campus awareness surrounding sports teams on campus.  The fact that the school has already taken steps to correct this shortcoming brings a sigh of relief.  What is more, some of our players have been involved in request radio interviews.  It is this type of community involvement and advertising that our student athletes deserve and enjoy.

When asked what the first thing that came to mind when mentioning UNBSJ Athletics Cory laughed and said “my team because, I play”.  Andrew answered with one word: pride.  Cory, playing her third year, believes that the UNBSJ Athletics department is on the rise.

“It is moving up, I think, we are a small school, our program is building.  We are recruiting a lot more, bringing in a lot of better players.  More people are definitely going to games.  Considering the crowds from first year to now, it’s definitely grown.”

Both students had a lot to say on the topic of improving community involvement in university sports.  When asked what was the most important aspect of UNBSJ basketball, Cory talked about the relationships forged as a result of playing for UNBSJ.  Her relationships with her teammates extend to life off the court.

“The people I spend most of my time with outside the gym are the people I play with in the gym.”

It is obvious that there exists great team chemistry on both our basketball teams.  The endless effort visible by both teams during the games in order to catch up to their opponents reveals true character.

Although spectator attendance has improved, there is still room for improvement.  What is needed now is “getting people out to the games”, says Andrew.  “It really gets the players into it I find.  If you have a lot of people in the stands watching you, it’s going to get you more in the game.”

Cory agreed withAndrew, stating that there must continue to be “more exposure for fans to come out, to support.  We have the best facilities in the league!”

Far form being mere critics, the athletes have ideas about how to change this.  They argue that closer participation with the SRC is fundamental.  The players want to know about “what happens at meetings”.  Andrew ended off saying “a lot of us (the players) don’t even know who our sports representative is”.  Inevitably, if this is to change, effort must be made to form a two-way flow of information.

Rafał Szymański is a Baron staff writer.