Where is the passion?

 

January 21, 2018

Eric Scott

It's in my blood.

For those who know me, there is no denying that school and community pride is incredibly important to me. Growing up in Woodward as a person who loved sports, but not overly athletic, being a fan was something I accepted early on in high school. However, I never realized I would end up having so much passion for the schools I've been a part of.

Even when I came to Alva to attend Northwestern, the first time I attended a Goldbug game I instantly fell in love with Alva athletics. I still remember watching the Bugs in the 2003 Wheat Capital Tournament Championship game against Millwood like it was yesterday.

And it isn't only Ranger, Goldbug or Boomer athletics (don't worry friends, Bugs rate above the Boomers these days), but I also take great pride in other programs I have been a part of, including Oklahoma Wesleyan, Lyon College (Arkansas) and Oral Roberts athletics.

One of the biggest compliments I have received in the past week was someone telling me they have always seen me as "the guy who bleeds black and red."

That's why it is hard for me to understand how the physical fan support of Ranger and Goldbugs athletics is so low. I know there are passionate fans in this wonderful community, but I am baffled why attendance is relatively low when the local teams play.

I get the argument from people that they support the schools, but that does nothing for the young men and women, boys and girls taking part in athletics day in and day out. They need people in the seats cheering for them, screaming at the refs and questioning coaching decisions.

This isn't just a problem in Alva, but all over the place. It seems like attendance is down no matter where I have been the past several years between high school and college athletics.

If you haven't had an opportunity to see the local teams, please take a chance to check them out. The Alva boys are a lot of fun to watch this season with their athleticism and speed. The Alva girls, when they get hot, can shoot anyone out of the gym, like Stephanie Spellman did against Oklahoma Christian School on Friday with eight three-pointers.

At the university, Coach Shawn Dirden has the Northwestern men clicking this season. Picked to finish at the bottom of the conference, they were in a tie for first place up until last weekend when they run into apparent juggernaut Southern Nazarene.

And then there is the job Tasha Diesselhorst is doing with the women's program. The Lady Rangers are still in the process of growing, but the young talent she has assembled is competing in nearly every contest, even going toe-to-toe with nationally ranked Southwestern Oklahoma State on the road on Monday.

I don't want this to be just about athletics as well. Students need as much support as they can get from the community. Whether it is band, choir, drama, etc., attend their events. I know as a former Northwestern choir member, it wasn't very fun to work hard, only to sing for a handful of family members, faculty and staff members.

The current students and student-athletes are incredibly important to our community. If they are seeing the support when they are participating in activities, they may be more likely to stay at Northwestern when they go to college, or set up roots when they graduate from NWOSU.

Pride is in my blood, and I don't apologize for that.

 

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