The Stats Page
Where is all the Tornado spirit?
by Johnny "Stats" Lange
Sports Editor
Yes people, it’s true!!! You
really didn’t think I could go
too long without writing a
column now did you? I mean
after writing to you every week
last semester we really ought
to know each other by now
don’t you think?
Oh, excuse me. I just realized
that there are many of you
people out there who are
freshmen. Please allow me to
introduce myself My name is
Johnny Lange and I am the
sports editor here at the
Clarion. Last winter I took over
this esteemed position, and it
was my distinct honor to both
cover the teams here at Brevard
and to share my point of view
on the world of sports. I’mfrom
St. Louis, Missouri and I’m in
my second and final year at this
institution. I’m a huge fan of
any St. Louis team and I live
and breathe sports.
Ok well it’s time to get on topic
for this week. Obviously with
my job as sports editor I am at
every home football game. I’ve
noticed a rather disturbing
trend, and I’m not talking about
the unusual custom down here
of putting slaw on hot dogs
(though that is quite unusual
to me.)
Over the last year there have
been requests for a student
section at the football games,
which is an excellent idea.
However, when I arrived at the
stadium this past Saturday, I
was quite disturbed by the lack
of people in the student
section, and the general lack of
noise made by the section.
Now I want to be 100% clear
that I am not attacking the other
athletes at our school, because
clearly their first priority should
be their own games, matches
or races. It should also be
noted that I am not attacking
those who are working their
way through school. I took
several years off of school
myself while working as a
karaoke jock back in St. Louis.
I know it’s really difficult to
balance both class work and
making that money that is
necessary in life. I understand
and appreciate your phght.
However there is a group of
students on this campus that
are just sitting around on
campus when game time rolls
around. My appeal is for these
students to start showing up.
Athletic events aren’t only
about watching sports. They
are a time for socializing and
enjoying the fresh air on these
lovely fall afternoons and
evenings before the
(somewhat) cold of winter
descends upon the mountains.
One thing I learned at this
school is that you are expected
to support your fellow students
whether it is a senior project or
a musical performance. How
come this obhgation isn’t also
expected at sporting events as
well? And you can’t use
money as an excuse, because
the game is free for students
and the school even provides
transportation to and from the
football games. It costs you
nothing, so why not go? Ok,
fine if you require a Coke while
watching a football game it will
cost you two dollars.
My point here is that these
college years of ours are for
more than just academics. It’s
for sociahzing, and getting to
know different people, and is
often referred to as the best
years of a person’s life.
However, if you go home every
weekend or simply hang around
your dorm, you aren’t meeting
any new people, and not
expanding your horizons.
And of course there is one
other benefit of attending
sporting events. Where else
can you get to act like a maniac
and scream your lungs out
without campus security of
your friendly neighborhood
police officer getting called?
The answer is nowhere.
After each home game head
football coach Paul Hamilton
makes sure on the post game
show to thank all of the
supporters for coming out to
the game and supporting the
team. There is a home field
advantage in sports, and that
is only obtained through the
support of the students and the
town. Sol implore you to show
up and make some freaking
noise. The next home game is
Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. “So long for
just a little while,” and please
remember that as it was last
year and remains this year “I
am your champion.”
Students show their support for BC Football In an apathetic student section photo by m. Newton