In my third year at DePauw, one conversation constantly comes up: why don't students go to football games?
Well, students, faculty and parents, you can give yourself a huge pat on the back for showing up to DePauw's first home football game of the season. As I looked up at the stands in Blackstock Stadium, I was amazed to see them completely full.
As the game continued, the lackluster play by the team persuaded much of the crowd to leave. While we can argue over proper etiquette for fans, this column is not intended to bemoan leaving the game early.
I wish to ask a new question in light of the tremendous turnout at the football game: why can't the same crowd go to field hockey games?
The football team is now 1-3. The losses have been ugly and uninspiring to say the least. This is a team in a transitional year.
Apologies to the seniors who came into this season excited and determined to claim a third straight post-season berth, but we have to admit that this is a down year for Tiger football.
Let me direct readers' attention to three other teams that are more deserving of the attendance granted at Saturday's 10-24 loss to Centre College: field hockey, men's soccer and volleyball.
The field hockey team (9-1), which played just hours before the football game, faced its toughest NCAC competition yet in Denison University. With the Tigers first in the conference and Denison second, both undefeated in conference play thus far, the game would be a preview of the NCAC championship's potential matchup. Led by juniors Bridgette Shamleffer and Margaret Ellis, DePauw won 3-2 in overtime to secure its sport atop the conference standings.
The next day, the Tigers beat Ohio Wesleyan 2-0 and are now 8-0 in the NCAC.
The men's soccer team, after an overtime victory against Kenyon College, also sits atop the conference standings at 3-0 and 9-1 overall. Led by striker Andy Morrison, a freshman, and a stone wall defense manned by senior Nate Sprenkel, the Tigers are expected to climb in national rankings from their previous place of 21st.
Indoors, if the volleyball team (14-5) can figure out how to utilize its talent 100 percent of the time, it can match up with any top-ranked team in NCAA Div. III athletics. Head coach Deb Zellers, with her 400th career win as a coach at DePauw over College of Wooster on Saturday, has her team rolling over the NCAC. At 5-0, the Tigers have their eyes set on the championship.
Look at those records next to the teams, and think about the legitimate potential for the team to win its conference tournament in its first year in the NCAC.
I love football just like every other guy does.
But what I do not understand is why the field hockey, volleyball and men's soccer teams don't get as many fans as what I saw at Blackstock Stadium on Saturday.
Volleyball plays at Lilly Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m.
The men's soccer team is playing on Boswell Field at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and field hockey is playing against its old SCAC rival, Trine University, on Sunday at 1 p.m.
I sincerely hope these teams see great crowds. While I don't expect the mass that was present at the football game, I wish to see some fans supporting these successful teams. These teams are potential conference champions, and possible national title teams. How can we ignore them?
The new conversation might be: why don't students go to potential title winning teams' games?
DePauw, don't let that question be raised. Support those teams by showing up.
— Appelgate is a junior from Kent, Wash. majoring in communications. He is sports editor for The DePauw. sports@thedepauw.com