Leopards show no pride
Campus Times
October 2, 1998
by Ryan Allen
Arts & Entertainment Editor
There are a number of tell-tale signs to point out that a new school
year has begun. Professional football begins and pro baseball ends. Blowout
back-to-school sales begin and, for those who work at a restaurant or in
retail, the summer rush ends. Homecoming preparations begin and, yes, the
summer officially ends.
No matter what the signs may be, people generally enjoy returning to
school for the new academic year to see some old faces, meet new friends
and make another push toward graduation. This has been a consistent pattern
since high school.
Yet, ever since coming to the University of La Verne, one may have noticed
a general lapse in school spirit. This is apparent not so much in attitude
as in apparel. That is right-apparel.
When walking around campus one cannot help but notice the amount of
free advertising for other colleges. Whether it be a University of Southern
California (USC) hat, a Colorado University (CU) sweatshirt or even a UCLA
basketball jersey, it is amazing the level that these other colleges have
reached in popularity. It is almost as though people treat them like professional
sports institutions. Is there really someone on the campus of Notre Dame
wearing a ULV sweatshirt?
When in high school, this kind of support for other high schools was
not seen in the area -- much less the country. So what is the difference
now that we are in college?
The argument is made that since the University does not play any of
these teams, it is all right to root for them like they were a professional
team. This is not the case. No, none of these NCAA Division I teams are
a member of ULV's sports league, the Southern California Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference, but we still have a number of intercollegiate teams
on campus which compete against these Division I superpowers. ULV's men's
volleyball and water polo teams both compete against Division I teams in
tournaments and in regular season match-ups. It is upsetting to think that
someone would be in the stands of a ULV men's volleyball match against USC
wearing a USC hat while they are a sophomore or junior at ULV.
The point is not to ban or discourage anyone from wearing clothes from
other colleges, because I do wear a CU sweatshirt that a friend gave me
two years ago -- and, on the reverse side, I have given ULV sweatshirts
as gifts to those deserving.
By no means should one spray paint themselves green and orange to show
school spirit, but demonstrating a little spirit by attending a soccer or
football game, no matter what the team's record is, should not be too much
to ask.
Maybe it is because ULV does not get the national media coverage that
these other big Division I schools get. Maybe if we did, we would not only
have La Verne students wearing ULV stuff, but we might have third party
supporters outside of La Verne wearing the prized Leo gear as well. Just
like ULV students so easily buy into for other schools.
To some, school spirit is not very important, but for some of us the
spirit creates an atmosphere in which we can feel proud of our school. When
one begins to feel bogged down by everyday stressors, their is nothing like
going to a home game and screaming your head off with support for your fellow
Leopards.
We should not have to spray paint ourselves the school colors. If we
could just bleed them instead, then we would be taking a big, big step in
the right direction.
Ryan Allen, a senior communications major, is arts and entertainment
editor of the Campus Times. He can be reached by e-mail at allenr@ulv.edu.
