Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Sept. 2, 1994, edition 1 / Page 16
Part of The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Cf* (Suitforfcan 16 On the Sidelines: Women's volleyball... this year the fans must take a back seat Wade Tomlinson Staff Writer A few years ago a group of stu dents got together and started go ing to support the women's volley ball team. As the year progressed the fans started having more fun by bringing banners, etc. to give a sport that's definitely worthy, Guilford's support. This tight group of students went to every home game, made up songs, chants, and cheers for every aspect of the game. Everything the "super-fans" did was creative, funny, a morale booster, and above all in accor dance with the inherent rules of sportsmanship. As of last year the women's volleyball team won not only every home game (to the best to this writer's knowledge), but the ODAC conference in both the regular season and the tournament as well. Then the spirited group of women went to nationals! These achievements were incred ible standing alone; in addition were the "superfans" who watched, cheered, and celebrated along side. Last year nothing was said when the schedule dictated that the GuilCo women had to play more games away than at home last year... This year, this "Superfan" is! The point of contention: not only do the women this year have to play more games away, but the number is astounding! The women's volleyball team has D M 'ojoqnraaiQ Li "°N !""! aivd aSwisoj sn noqvznreSjQ ltjojd-oo^ TWENTY-TWO games away and only THREE at home!!! For what reason? None other than that the women have received too much fan support! Allow me to repeat this in case that sentence slipped by you... None other than that the women have received TOO MUCH FAN SUPPORT! Last year Bill and Bev Rogers (the president and first lady of the campus) joined the rest of the "superfans" in cheering at all the home games... In fact the "superfans" traveled all the way to Roanoke, VA to cheer on the women at the OD AC tourney. F ve always thought that things like these should be rewarded, re spected, and encouraged... instead the ODAC has essentially implied that fan support is not only unwar ranted but unwanted also. Support for sports is hard to come by here at Guilford. It is a fair criticism to say that Guilford students do not support their sports teams near as much as they should. It is for this reason that this writer is particularly disturbed. What if the NCAA told Notre Dame that they only can have a few games at home because they sell out too much... or what if the Big 10 told Michigan that home basketball games have to be de creased because fans there average more than at any other school... I think we all know what would hap pen; fans would be in an uproar. There is also another aspect to all this. Because of these twenty two away games (possibly more due to small tourna ments) the women's grades may suffer. Think about it. Not only do they have to practice day in and day out but now they have to spend two to three nights a week on the road. It has to be a det riment to work habits. As for the fans? Well we will be stuck with out a home... We'll try to make trips to Elon, Greensboro Co. and UNCG but as for the rest that are four to ten hours away (yes, one is in Pennsylvania), the "superfans" will have to wait for first-hand accounts by the women themselves. I know the women are going to have an other fantastic year, I know they are well dis ciplined, I know they are a spirited bunch, and I know they will manage without fan support on these long voyages...but I can't help but feeling bad for the women, the team, and the school. And I can't help but feeling left out and betrayed. I guess, for this year, the fans will just have to take a back seat. 0 ItLZ 'D'N 'oJoqsuawQ •A\ XipuMJj M 008S L\LL\ xo H O'd 8II°D pjojnno ÜBjpjojßno qx *MKv ? j ¥> -- r Jpp Coach McCrackin looks on as the girls' volleyball team practices Biwl Special Order after 9PM A LARGE (12 slices) Pepperoni Classic, Mushroom Classic or Cheese Works PLUS 5 HUGE BREADSTIX in a spiffy bag with dipping sauce. $9.43 ORDER AFTER 9PM ONLY • DELIVERY OR CARRY OUT ON OR OFF CAMPUS Ask about our new menu! PIZZA BY DESlGn^^^^ 854-3555 282-9003 4508 W. MARKET 3700 LAWN DALE Limited Delivery Area Offer expires 12/20/94 September 2, 1994 Heather Glissen
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Sept. 2, 1994, edition 1
16
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75