This fall brings another chance for Penn’s sports teams to prove themselves on the field. It also brings a new chance for the Penn community to show its pride for the Red and the Blue.
In the past, school spirit and attendance at games has been less than stellar. For its part, Penn Athletics is stepping up its efforts to generate buzz in promising ways.
The New Student Orientation picnic on Franklin Field was an improvement over last year’s event on Hill Field because this year’s picnic had more structure, and more teams and coaches got involved. This change is especially important because the event can help hook students into Penn’s athletic culture right from the start. Penn Athletics also has more school-spirit initiatives underway — including providing grills and charcoal for tailgating before football games.
But Penn Athletics can’t do all the work. In order to increase school spirit, students also need to take advantage of these new opportunities. Penn Athletics built it — now students have to come. Otherwise, nothing will ever change.
This is students’ school, and the athletes are students’ classmates. Penn’s teams may not all be national powerhouses, but that doesn’t mean students shouldn’t appreciate what the University’s athletic programs have to offer.
Here’s a toast to dear old Penn, and to hoping students make the effort to do the same.
