6 Creating Community in College

Elle Rutherford, Yishi Reena Zheng, Giles Jackson

Campus spectator sports play a significant role in embodying the collegiate ideal by fostering a sense of community, school spirit, and shared identity among students, alumni, and the wider campus community. These sporting events serve as a platform for students to come together, celebrate their institution, and showcase the values of teamwork, competition, and camaraderie that are integral to the collegiate experience. When I interviewed my friend, he stated that, “By bringing members of the university together, sports events promote teamwork, leadership, and social connections,”, a clear embodiment of the collegiate ideal. I also really love Nelson Mandela’s quote on sports when he says, “It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.” The quote emphasizes the power of campus spectator sports to inspire and unite people, highlighting the value of having such sports as a means to foster a sense of community and connection among students, alumni, and the broader campus population.

Sources:

Longman, J. (2013, December 6). Mandela Embraced the Power of Sports for Resistance and Unity. The New York Times. Retrieved April 6, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/06/sports/nelson-mandela-resistance-and-healing-through-sports.html

From a conversation interview with my mother, she stated, “Whether watching sports as part of the inclusive audience at a sports event or watching from the comfort of our homes, most people would agree on the importance of sports. Then step back and add the in-person college ambience and there you have a recipe for an exciting fun-filled experience.” Of course, the large number of people participating as spectators, especially at a football game, leads to the thrill of the event. Then throw in nice weather, a home victory, seeing an extraordinary play or your favorite player score and you’ve got an event for the history books and perhaps a lifelong memory.

Even after the victory has been won and we celebrate on a mental and emotional high, not often do we sit back and think about all the moving parts that made this event what it was. We must consider the players who are full-time students, the physical work they put in to even be considered for the team, the alumni association who add to the pride of being affiliated with the school, the many workers needed to have a successful event and of course we have the faithful fans or spectators. Fans take great pride in supporting their teams and showing off their loyalty to everyone. It’s not uncommon for college football fans to travel long distances just to attend games or watch them on television (Anon, 2023).

The culture surrounding college football has deep roots and can appear quite different depending on the school. Many traditions are prevalent when we look around the audience and see the many generations that have locked into the customs. College football is so important to fans and looking at the history, college sports offered a path to cultural assimilation and upward mobility of the players. College sports grew to represent that of the melting pot, where unity was achieved out of diversity, and meritocracy, in which individuals achieved success based only on their skills and determination (Mintz,2021). These two things alone had a part in changing the face of campus spectator sports, and if only for a moment, the fans seem to enjoy the camaraderie.

Works Cited

Anon. (2023, May 7). Why is college football so important to sports fans. The Northern Virginia Daily. https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/why-is-college-football-so-important-to-sports-fans/article_cf20a7f1-c685-541c-aba2-a4078c1af7a3.html#:~:text=College%20football%20is%20essential%20to%20sports%20fans%20because

Mintz, S. (2021a, April 16). The Uncertain Future of College Sports | Inside Higher Ed. Www.insidehighered.com. https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/higher-ed-gamma/uncertain-future-college-sports

Sergeev, A. (2011). Spectators at a rival football game with Kansas Jayhawks vs Texas A & M,,. https://www.asergeev.com/pictures/archives/compress/2011/986/05.htm

Yishi Zheng:

Another student interviewed is a second-year international student who has a strong passion in soccer. In our conversation, Rooney stated that watching campus spectator sports with his friends is a way of bonding in an out-of-classroom setting. As college students – a lot of which are late teenagers – we want to be outside and release our energy. For international students, it is already hard for them to adapt to culture differences. They might be intimidated to participate in campus events because they are not familiar with “the American rules” and are scared of being judged if they did anything that does not align with the values here. However, sports are different. You might not understand the conversations that the fans around you are passionately having, you might not know what the sports commentators are talking about, but as long as you know that rule of the sports, you can share the emotions that other fans are experiencing. When our team are winning, cheer! When the opposite is happening, boo! This apply to all universally popular sports like basketball, volleyball, and soccer. For American football, which is a uniquely American sport, even though international students might be confused about the rules, they are still able to sync their emotions with other fans by paying attention to the scoreboard and observing what people around them are doing.

Rooney is not a part of any official school sports team, but his passion to soccer urged him to join a Registered Student Organization (RSO) that specializes in soccer. Oftentimes, they just have their recreational soccer match on Denny Field, and some people will stop by and watch them play, which also makes it a campus spectator sport. According to Rooney, it is a way for him to keep himself active and make connections with others that share the same passion.

Works Cited

Anon. (2023, May 7). Why is college football so important to sports fans. The Northern Virginia Daily. https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/why-is-college-football-so-important-to-sports-fans/article_cf20a7f1-c685-541c-aba2-a4078c1af7a3.html#:~:text=College%20football%20is%20essential%20to%20sports%20fans%20because

Mintz, S. (2021a, April 16). The Uncertain Future of College Sports | Inside Higher Ed. Www.insidehighered.com. https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/higher-ed-gamma/uncertain-future-college-sports

Sergeev, A. (2011). Spectators at a rival football game with Kansas Jayhawks vs Texas A & M,,. https://www.asergeev.com/pictures/archives/compress/2011/986/05.htm

Gao, R. (2022). Interview: What is the Role of Campus Sports to You?, Conducted by Yishi Reena Zheng. May 3, 2023.

A picture of Rooney playing recreational soccer on Denny Field. April 28, 2023.

Final Summary:

Creating a sense of community is vital in the college environment, and campus spectator sports play a significant role in promoting this community on college campuses. Attending and supporting sports events brings students together, fostering a shared sense of identity and school spirit. Through cheering for their teams, students develop connections with fellow fans, forming friendships and bonds that extend beyond the sports arena. These connections contribute to a vibrant and inclusive campus culture, where students from diverse backgrounds come together to celebrate their collective pride. Engaging in campus spectator sports not only enhances students’ college experience but also cultivates a strong sense of belonging and unity within the larger university community.