We're movin' on up
By Brian Witter
Can anyone tell me what's gotten into our fall athletes lately -- and where I can get a prescription for it?
Currently, we have four teams ranked nationally with no sign of slowing down as both Bronco soccer squads and the volleyball team have won close to 85% of their games combined. How many other Division I schools can honestly even testify to having more than two teams in the same elite category?
Sports Illustrated must have figured the same thing when they placed Santa Clara at No. 19 for its annual fall all-sports rankings. The Broncos ended up sandwiched between Arizona State and USC!
I'm not disagreeing with SI or anything, but how we ended up one spot ahead of the school with arguably the best football program in the modern era and a spot behind the team that almost defeated them is beyond me. Speaking of football programs, Santa Clara was the only school to make the list that doesn't have one.
At the beginning of last year, we were writing columns about how lame school spirit was and the apathy that existed among the student body. With some coaxing and support from the Ruff Riders, the atmosphere at games has become more energetic and stimulating lately, which makes for a better experience on both sides of the field/court/pool/etc.
A bigger turnout means a more intimidating mob. Certainly though, a sudden and conspicuous increase in school spirit is not enough merely by itself to amplify our teams' winning ways.
The real reason that Bronco sports are getting better and better is the drive put forth by the school to enhance the educational and aesthetic value that one can extract in four years. When talented and athletic high schoolers are attempting to decide whether or not they should attend Santa Clara, they likely do not end up picking the school for the name alone.
They choose us for the intangibles, convinced that they will get more out of their overall college experience. So perhaps that's what has fueled these athletes: a sense of reward in becoming part of a closely-knit community. Playing a sport they love only adds to the satisfaction.
Is it really a surprise when content athletes start to win games? For the rest of us student-fans, we too share in a common camaraderie -- and with the way things are going now, you can't help but root for your own team, especially when there's something to be proud of.
Contact Brian Witter at (408) 551-1918 or BWitter@scu.edu.