Student apathy shows at Rose
Maroon covers the landscape in the stands of Rose Arena for most winter sports.
The reason for the vast amount of maroon - attendance is so poor.
The maroon-colored chairs and bleachers have been sparsely occupied every since the basketball, gymnastics and the wrestling teams started.
While some of the blame falls on the community for not showing up and supporting their local university, most of it falls on the students.
Students walking into Rose Arena before the wrestling team's meet against No. 4 Nebraska last week walked by a large picture of the venue from last year's victory over No. 4 Michigan. The meet set a wrestling attendance record at Rose with 4,273 in attendance.
The picture showed a student section so full it left other students venturing to the upper section of bleachers to find a spot to sit. This year against the Cornhuskers, the student section was half full. Same seeded opponent, yet half the support with 2,261 attending.
Apathy is the only explanation for the lack of attendance.
It can not be for other campus entertainment options. With the state's economy, less concerts, comedians and other acts have been brought the last few years. The only consistency has been athletics.
While the men's basketball team has struggled this season, a home game victory against anyone is still within grasp. It is hard for a basketball team to play at another team's venue. But the Chippewas might lose that edge if the students don't make it somewhat intimating to play in.
In the same hallway the wrestling photo hangs is a photo from the Chris Kaman era of men's basketball. The entire student section is full, all donning gold T-shirts.
It is up to the students to make the atmosphere enjoyable. A team can feed off of the energy the section gives.
I know CMU has it in them to give Rose Arena an intimidating atmosphere. Earlier in the fall, in the freezing cold during the football team's game against Ball State echoed the largest "C-M-U" chant I've ever heard.
Fast forward two months and the students are gone, failing to root for a top ten team (wrestling) in the nation while they came out in masses to support a team that wasn't even in the top 25 in their respective sport.
The athletic department can also do their share as well. Much like the idea it had for last Wednesday's perspective women's and men's basketball double header, the department should look into having more back-to-back events.
I'm just hoping in a few years when I'm receiving my diploma it is not the first time I've seen a full crowd at Rose Arena since that win against Michigan.
sports@cm-life.com
