This is a response to the classic and world religions professor, Steve Hays, who claims that Ohio University students do not care about the athletics at this university. I am writing a response to his letter that was published in the Nov. 10 edition of The Post.
Professor Hays, you believe that students don’t care about Bobcat football just because they left the game early?
I think that is an unreasonable conclusion. Take a look at when the game was played. It was a Wednesday night at 8 p.m. — not a Friday or even a Saturday. Students care about their education here.
As a student that attended the Bobcat Blackout, which in my opinion was a success, I stayed until the end of halftime. I supported the ’Cats and Marching 110, and then I felt it was necessary for me to go home.
Being on the Varsity Swimming and Diving team, I had practice the following morning, along with a full day of classes. I know that there are others that attend this game that either went home early because of how cold it was or they simply had some work to do.
I do not see students taking the time out of their busy schedules to get ready and attend an athletic event just because they “don’t care.”
Personally, I have seen a huge increase in student attendance at many of the sporting events since my freshman year. I remember the time where it was easy to find a place to stand at Peden Stadium to watch the football team play.
Or not being packed like sardines while watching the club hockey team dominate on the ice at Bird Arena.
Before you criticize OU athletics more, you need to take a step back and realize that there are lot of student athletes that attend this school, whether they are varsity, club or intramural sport.
If the percentage of students that were recruited here to play a sport did not come to this prestigious university, then who would be the individuals that pay your salary?
Deidre Geroni is a junior studying organizational communication.
