2008 Woodie Awards
Sports Commentary
Dear basketball players/spectators,
Frankie Guros
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Sports
I'm sorry we're not more like Linfield College.
I know that has to be hard to hear for the hard-core sports fans here that despise our rival, but let's be honest here: I'm jealous.
When I went down to McMinnville to watch our men's team vie for a potential playoff spot, I was overwhelmed by the environment created by the fans during the game.
It was like a real college game: all the jocks were there dressed in jerseys for some spirit night, they never sat down for the entirety of the game and they did everything they could to give their team an edge.
This experience confirmed what I already knew: our home games feel like they're being played at a neutral site.
I'm not really sure why we have so few fans that actually care about Boxer sports. Maybe it's the demographics of the students at the school.
It could be the fact that we're in a city that doesn't entirely approve of Pacific.
Or maybe it's because we don't have a football team. Their football team was there in full force.
Then there is our reputation. We may have some athletic teams and individuals that have fared well, but the history at Linfield kicks the crud out of our athletic history.
The very simple fact is that if we have good sports teams, people will come watch. Nobody likes to watch a losing program.
The point is we're not an athletic powerhouse, and that is a disappointment for anyone who appreciates athletics and competition as much as I do.
However, not all is lost.
We have our moments. I've been to a few games that are exciting and really worthwhile. There have been some flashing moments where I have been extremely proud to be a Boxer.
I'm O.K. with not being at some elitist school that thinks they are the best and that wins everything.
I'll embrace the reputation of being a scrub school that people don't expect a lot out of - and then we do something great.
We don't have to be just like Linfield, but we can learn from them.
Sincerely,
Disappointed Fan
I know that has to be hard to hear for the hard-core sports fans here that despise our rival, but let's be honest here: I'm jealous.
When I went down to McMinnville to watch our men's team vie for a potential playoff spot, I was overwhelmed by the environment created by the fans during the game.
It was like a real college game: all the jocks were there dressed in jerseys for some spirit night, they never sat down for the entirety of the game and they did everything they could to give their team an edge.
This experience confirmed what I already knew: our home games feel like they're being played at a neutral site.
I'm not really sure why we have so few fans that actually care about Boxer sports. Maybe it's the demographics of the students at the school.
It could be the fact that we're in a city that doesn't entirely approve of Pacific.
Or maybe it's because we don't have a football team. Their football team was there in full force.
Then there is our reputation. We may have some athletic teams and individuals that have fared well, but the history at Linfield kicks the crud out of our athletic history.
The very simple fact is that if we have good sports teams, people will come watch. Nobody likes to watch a losing program.
The point is we're not an athletic powerhouse, and that is a disappointment for anyone who appreciates athletics and competition as much as I do.
However, not all is lost.
We have our moments. I've been to a few games that are exciting and really worthwhile. There have been some flashing moments where I have been extremely proud to be a Boxer.
I'm O.K. with not being at some elitist school that thinks they are the best and that wins everything.
I'll embrace the reputation of being a scrub school that people don't expect a lot out of - and then we do something great.
We don't have to be just like Linfield, but we can learn from them.
Sincerely,
Disappointed Fan
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