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Show I'HMWjfittT . V - 2 y, ATHLETICS 10 CRAIG KNIGHT During half time at a mens basketball game on Dec. 2, fans played a round of lightning where the line grew past the half court marker. To play lightning, participants line up in a single file and the two players who have a basketball try to make a basket before the person behind them does. Students love to support Westminster athletics... sometimes CRAIG KNIGHT STAFF REPORTER At colleges and universities across the country from Ohio State University to Alabama University to the University of Utah students turn out in waves to hang out, drink beverages (use your imagination as to what they drink) and grill before going to a sporting event in a festivity pre-ga- me commonly known as tailgating. At Westminster College, thats partially true. Getting students to attend a tailgate for free food and beverages is the easy part but getting them to stay for an athletic event has been a challenge, according to Westminster Athletic Director (AD) Shay Wyatt. Well, weve tried a lot of things, so if you have magic formula please let us know, Wyatt said with a chuckle. Weve had some exceptional student turnouts... the challenge being is that its been inconsistent. Have they tried giving free tuition or a free selfie stick to students who attend a home game? Its just a suggestion. Though its a fantasy to imagine giving free stuff to all of the students who attend home games, realistically some students said they enjoy attending athletic events to sup- port their fellow classmates or to blow off homework. Ive been to a lot of the soccer games, and Im trying to go to all of the basketball games because its always fun and a good time to step members seeing noticeable student turnout was during the womens lacrosse victory over Brigham Young University last year, The line was out to the parking lot and it was one of the most amazing events that weve had at Dumke, Wyatt said. Weve had some nice crowds in the away from homework, said first-yestudent Lasa-n- a Trawally from Salt Lake City. Even with the attendance probhe said lem, Wyatt enjoys the game ar day experience when a bulk of students attend. When our students do show up, its a fantastic atmo- sphere, Wyatt said. Its very noticeable. One game Wyatt said he specifically re- - past, but that was electric. McKenzie Willis, a first-ye- ar student on the womens volleyball team, said she appreciates when students come to the games to cheer her team on. Its really awesome, Willis said. Espe- - dally when you see people that you know in the crowd, and then you want to play hard- er. With inconsistent student attendance, Willis also said she understands when no one shows up to the games. It kind of sucks when nobodys there," she said. Its just dead. Bob McLellan, Westminsters sports photographer, said hes seen inconsistent attendance at every game he covers. Its spotty, McLellan said, sitting on the east side of the basketball court during a game. Some games there are a handful that are at every game and theyre energetic to make up for the lack of numbers, but its spotty. There are many possible answers as to why student attendance isnt great, but Wyatt said he speculates its due to a lack of understanding about how competitive Westminsters athletes can be. I think a lot of people dont understand small college athletics, Wyatt said. They think that we are so much further down than BYU, Utah or Utah State, and then they come see our caliber of student athletes and walk away pleasantly surprised. |