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Ok, not really, but I wanted as many people as possible to read my final column to fill my self esteem needs.
Every columnist’s final piece always talks about how they got an opportunity to watch some of the greatest sporting events from the best seats in the house. False.
I sat courtside for every home basketball game. I ate tacos from the press box during the football games. But I always took time to visit the real best seats in the house: where the students are at.
Nothing was worse than having to show up to tailgating in a shirt and tie then have to leave early and take the long lonely walk to Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. I hated having to spend my victory high listening to Tom Crean complain in his press conference. I would much prefer to be stuck in a traffic jam in the parking lot with a car full of friends discussing how Lee Steiden cost us free tacos.
Sports editors aren’t allowed to be fans, but at a student newspaper it is a difficult line to walk. In a lot of my writing you could see the fan come out. The most infamous instance was in my column bashing the University of Kentucky’s fan base.
While the KY Jelly and beautiful artwork sent to me in the mail, the numerous e-mails about how I better watch my back when I’m out on the streets (go to louisvillecardinal.com to get an exclusive look at the e-mails) and the hate group on Facebook didn’t do much to change my opinion of the fans, I think their passion should be emulated.
The week before my ‘Why the sUcK’ column, I wrote Louisville students should e-mail SGA President Brian Hoffman to voice their concern about seating at the new downtown arena. Hoffman received zero e-mails. Part of this might have to do with my lack of popularity, but I’m going to chalk most of this up to apathy.
My column was able to incite enough passion in UK fans to send numerous e-mails, yet when U of L fans had an opportunity to make a real difference they spent their time on the computer creeping on people on Facebook or watching ‘My New Haircut’ on YouTube instead of e-mailing Hoffman.
I want to give Cardinal fans a second chance though. As a farewell gift I would appreciate it if all students would send me an e-mail (tmjoel01@louisville.edu). Let me know what you think it is going to take to raise school spirit at athletic events at U of L. I will make sure to pass all relevant e-mails to the athletic department.
I think a lack of school spirit is the number one issue plaguing this campus. Students need to take pride in their university and athletics offers a very public avenue to show it. The great thing is that unlike budget cuts, tuition increases and crime, students actually control this issue.
As students we should see it as our obligation to make the best seats in the house even better.
