FCA aims to increase athletic support
By: Andrew Hoyer-Booth
Issue date: 11/7/08 Section: Sports
Historically, Furman's student body has shown a lack of interest in its sports teams. Across all sports this general apathy is pervasive and has negated any sort of home field advantage one comes to expect when playing in front of one's peers.
For that reason, this year the Fellowship of Christian Athletes developed its Pick of the Week program as a way to get the campus involved in supporting Furman athletics.
Each week FCA leadership sits down with the Furman Athletic Department, picking a game to spotlight and encourage students to attend.
"We thought that if we picked one big game each week, students would know that there would be a crowd at that game and might be encouraged to attend," said FCA treasurer Addison Howard.
The picks are usually posted on Student News and classifieds, as well as the occasional banner in the dining hall.
While FCA cannot pick every big game that occurs throughout the course of a season, there has been a conscious effort to pick big games from all the fall sports. This ensures that some of the lesser-celebrated sports like golf and cross-country are rightfully acknowledged, and the athletes on those teams are supported for their hard work and commitment.
So has there been a noticeable difference in attendance this year?
"Yes, but not to its fullest potential," said Howard. "We would like to see more of the campus get involved and have the Pick of the Week seen as a big event, creating some hype all across campus."
This week's pick is Furman volleyball vs. UNC Greensboro on Saturday.
For that reason, this year the Fellowship of Christian Athletes developed its Pick of the Week program as a way to get the campus involved in supporting Furman athletics.
Each week FCA leadership sits down with the Furman Athletic Department, picking a game to spotlight and encourage students to attend.
"We thought that if we picked one big game each week, students would know that there would be a crowd at that game and might be encouraged to attend," said FCA treasurer Addison Howard.
The picks are usually posted on Student News and classifieds, as well as the occasional banner in the dining hall.
While FCA cannot pick every big game that occurs throughout the course of a season, there has been a conscious effort to pick big games from all the fall sports. This ensures that some of the lesser-celebrated sports like golf and cross-country are rightfully acknowledged, and the athletes on those teams are supported for their hard work and commitment.
So has there been a noticeable difference in attendance this year?
"Yes, but not to its fullest potential," said Howard. "We would like to see more of the campus get involved and have the Pick of the Week seen as a big event, creating some hype all across campus."
This week's pick is Furman volleyball vs. UNC Greensboro on Saturday.