Photo Courtesy / Jessica Lee

I would encourage everyone to go see your UTSC men’s basketball Raccoons take on U of T Law next Wednesday, but I might cause logistical issues. If more than 15 of my readers go, they might be turned away at the door. There wouldn’t be enough space in the bleachers. Not because they’re full or anything—but because there is simply no room to sit and watch.

UTSC students should be supporting their intramural teams—these athletes are impressive, and many of them are stars on more than one team at a time. Their effort year-round deserves the attention of the institution and student body they represent each time they suit up.

But there is something wrong when our “biggest” sports events of the year, like the tri-campus hockey Duck Hunt (UTSC versus UTM), or Soccer Day in Scarborough, attract crowds in the dozens, rather than the hundreds. The school’s student body is over 10,000, which means that our most well-organized, well-hyped athletic events bring in only one per cent of the student population. The crowds that attend are spirited and loud, and their presence does kickstart UTSC’s athletes. But there are too few numbers when compared to some of the teams UTSC is taking on and beating.

The school needs to facilitate the change, if they’re looking to evolve their image surrounding UTSC athletics. In order for a crowd to feel welcome at a game, there is a need for space to be encouraged to spend time and watch. This is a university after all, and a university with a supposed “proud history.” Universities are supposed to have grandstands, universities are supposed to have flags and banners waving.

Photo Courtesy / Jessica Lee

Where would one even go about buying a UTSC banner, or flag?  At the bookstore, or any other store on campus here at UTSC, no such thing is available.  Better yet, anyone looking to show off a little school spirit with a U of T scarf will be charged $36 plus HST.

At the 2009 Yates Cup at Queen’s University, Queen’s Gaels’ scarves, mitts and hats were handed out generously throughout the game. Not to mention, the Richardson Memorial grandstands were overflowing with rowdy, wonderful students, decked head to toe in yellow, blue and red Queen’s gear. The crowd noise propelled the Gaels to score a fourth quarter touchdown to win by four points over the Western Mustangs, on their way to a Vanier Cup.

The crowd noise at our games wouldn’t stir a fly off the bleachers.

The irony is, the institution is constantly trying to do things in order to boost its waning “school identity.” Yet they refuse to look past the academics in order to solidify that identity.  Students come by the busload, grab an education without taking even a second glance at UTSC athletics, and move on with virtually no recollection of good times at the games during school. With the proper facilities and spirit, students would be encouraged to go and watch a game.

“Not all of the kids here like football or anything,” said Amanda Z., a fourth-year English student at Queen’s. “People just like to go because there are bands and a parade, and they can have some fun with their friends.”

UTSC has a band too. When was the last time you saw them at a tri-campus final, or a Varsity Blues baseball game in the valley? Certainly they were never invited.

The greatest part of the problem is UTSC’s transient population. Students on this campus are in too much of a hurry to get to the bus stops in order to make it home before sundown to even realize there was an opportunity to cheer on their team. In order to bolster school spirit, and to aid with the outrageously rapid growth of the school, the school needs to have people staying on campus or residence.

Photo Courtesy / Jessica Lee

Schools that excel in spirited sports events, like Western, or Guelph, have extensive “student ghettos” where residence houses sprawl around the fringes of campus. Going to watch a game, cheer on the team, and grab a pint afterward at the student pub seems like a sensible thing to do when the facilities are there, and home is just around the corner. Our pathetic “student ghetto” only comprises about five per cent of the student body—and those poor souls aren’t allowed to make noise past 9 p.m.

A drastic change in policy and priority is necessary if those hard working athletes are ever to get the attention they truly deserve.

Until then, open their eyes and try to watch a game anyway.