UMW needs more school spirit and student unity

by ANN KARR

Staff Writer

Students at the University of Mary Washington are passionate, but not always about the same things. Everyone has their own group, their own schedule, their own little corner of campus.

Sometimes it feels like we are all just walking past each other instead of actually being one community. The place where that separation stands out the most is between student-athletes and non-athletes.

UMW has a strong sense of pride within each clique: athletes, performers, student government and all sorts of other clubs and majors. But we do not have many things that bring the whole community together. Even though there are exceptions to this divide, it does not change the fact that this separation has caused confusion about whether we even have a true sense of school spirit.

As a student athlete, when I attend sporting events like a rugby or basketball game, I look around and get excited because there are so many people I know. In my mind, I feel as though I am branching out so much. I recognize so many people, and maybe it’s because I am just shy, and that is why I feel like that, but it will not really hit me until I am sitting in the University Center or walking on campus, that I am surprised at all the new faces.

This is because, in many cases, when I look around the stands at a game, the reason I recognize so many people is that the majority of them tend to be athletes or friends of athletes, just like me.

UMW President Troy Paino described this dynamic as something that affects every corner of campus.

“It’s a two‑way street,” he said. “We should encourage non‑athletes to support athletics, and we should also encourage student‑athletes to be more visible in campus life beyond their team.”

In other words, both groups tend to stay within their comfort zones, and breaking that pattern requires intention from both sides.

This is because on the occasion that I am able to go to more on-campus activities, when my school and athletics schedule gives me a break, when I do see athletes at things like Devil Goat Day or Bingo, it’s when some are getting the free items the event is giving out and then leaving. There is not much time for building new connections or trying new things.

In many cases, the only times I might talk to non-athletes are during small talk before or after classes, because my schedule simply does not allow me to attend all these events. Although I am a part of two clubs and have been able to branch out while attending them, many of the other clubs are happening during practice games, and I know it is worse for a lot of other sports. Having to balance classes, work and a sport is not an easy feat. When I get done with all of my work, I do not have the energy to go to many school-sponsored events. Many students know what they like and do not want to change that.

It is also difficult for many non-athletes to attend, as many sporting events are farther away from campus. The Battlefield, although not very far, is still enough to cause an inconvenience that makes someone think they could just do something else. And unless you’re someone who truly has a passion for watching sports or a friend on the team, there is no true incentive for you to go.

Increasing attendance at both athletic and non-athletic events would result in a more connected UMW, as Paino describes; a campus with more school spirit results in a better community.

“I’d love to see more outward expressions of pride, larger student sections, stronger turnout at games and performances and more acknowledgment of what’s happening beyond our own little corners of campus,” said Paino. “I want to walk around and see more students wearing our colors, not just here but out in the community. That’s the kind of excitement and pride that turns a campus into a true community.”

Athletes need to make more of an effort to join in on campus events once our seasons end. Join some new clubs. It is never too late. There is more time in the day than we think. We can make time for something that really matters.

For non-student athletes, if there is an athlete in one of your classes, stop by a game to support. You truly do not know how much that support can change the course of a game. And that connection and effort can foster more new connections.

Heads of departments like athletics can also make more of an effort to push athletes to go to new events and create a joint event like Devil Goat Day. Have a booth there selling team merch, spirit wear and bringing awareness to other events. Or even host things like karaoke nights or sports bingo nights, bringing the usuals to the events, but more and more others as well.

These connections will foster a pride in our school that, honestly, we just do not have right now. Creating a more unified student body will increase our support on both sides, something we desperately need.

Because if we all stick in our collective cliques, that is all the school will be: divided. And if that is the case, we are not making the most out of our college experience.

Support through all aspects of Mary Washington is one of the pinnacle points that we need to highlight in order to bridge this gap and gain some true school spirit.