On any given day, you see students walk across campus sporting a shirt or a hat from another school.
“I think that is just disrespectful,” said Adair Snow, a freshman in her first semester at The University of Memphis and recent graduate of Cordova High School.
Snow did not want to come to the U of M because she had heard unflattering stories about the school.
“I had planned to go to MTSU, but my parents wanted me to go here,” Snow said. “ I didn’t like the idea of coming here. But after Frosh Camp, then being here for a while, I’ve changed my mind — and I love it here.”
Snow joined the Student Activities Council (SAC) and will participate in more student events around campus.
“I think it is important that students get more involved around campus,” Snow said.
Some freshmen sense a lack of school pride after being on campus less than two weeks.
“I don’t think people have enough pride in our university,” said Whitney Wolf, freshman. “Memphis a very good school.”
Academics and other sources serve as a source of school pride. While athletics seem to be the focal point of school pride, it is not the only part.
Dan Beasley, vice president of Alumni and Special Events, said: “Athletics are an important part of school pride. But they aren’t the only part. Once students see that the degree they get from Memphis is competitive in the job market — That is another source of pride.”
Last Saturday, 2,500 students attended the Tigers home opener against Murray State. Many were with “Frosh Frenzy,” sanctioned and operated by SAC.
“We’re trying to theme events so more people will get involved in different activities,” said April Fox, entertainment chair of SAC.
Fox added that SAC is constantly trying to come up with more diversified ways to involve students in school activities. Concerts, parties and pep rallies are just a few of the things organized by SAC, and SAC is always open for suggestions to increase student involvement.
“Anyone can call us with suggestions,” Fox said.
Frosh Frenzy also works in conjunction with the Athletic Department.
Kevin Grothe, associate athletic director, has helped spearhead this event.
Grothe said, “One of our philosophies is to work with in-coming freshmen and build from the grass roots.”
Grothe said that the Athletic Department is constantly working with different campus organizations such as SAC, the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Greek System to help increase student participation in athletic events.
“The more students are involved in activities, the more likely they will remain enrolled,” Grothe said. “Retention in school is more important than just athletic events.”
“Student activating at games is a problem in a lot of schools across the country— Unless you’re at one of the traditional powerhouses like Notre Dame or Ohio State,” Grothe said.
Another department concerned with student attendance at athletic events is the Athletic Department’s marketing department.
“We’re using every resource we have to ensure students are aware of the games, and hopefully they’ll come,” said Syra Thibault, marketing/promotions director.
Thibault said that they are always open to suggestions from students and that they encouraged students to go to the Athletic Department’s Web site to make suggestions.
Students can go to events free of charge when bringing their University ID with them. This includes Tigers’ home games in all sports.
Grothe thinks that a partial reason for the decrease in student attendance across the country is the massive sports coverage on TV.
“You can see Top 25 games every weekend and that keeps a lot of people at home.” Grothe said.
