Fanning the Flames
QUOTE/UNQUOTE "I think the administration started to realize thattheir initial feelings toward the Greek system are incorrect, and the Greek system is still very vibrant and popular," STUDENT ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT JANOS MARTIN '04, COMMENTING ON PRESIDENT JIM WRIGHT'S RECENTLY RELEASED FIVE-YEAR REVIE
IF YOU'VE BEEN TO A DARTMOUTH sporting event during the past couple years, you might have left wondering, "Where are all the students? Where's all the spirit?"
Waning attendance by undergraduates at Big Green games has been met by attempts on the part of Dartmouth athletics to encourage student involvement, including free admission, promotional giveaways and events such as basketball's Midnight Madness. These have been somewhat successful, according to Trevor Carlson, the departments assistant director for marketing and promotions. "But the push needs to come from students themselves," he says.
That's where Dave Wolkoff '05 of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, comes in. Wolkoff, who is not an athlete, sees "building a sports culture" at Dartmouth as a way to support his school and his classmates—and have a good time. Wolkoff, who has consistently attended two to three games per week during his time on campus, couldn't help but notice the absence of vocal student rooting sections, sometimes seeing less than 20 fellow students at games. He responded last fall by organizing a campus-wide Blitzmail campaign asking students to join a "Big Green Army" that would cheer at sporting events.
Wolkoff makes a serious effort. He sends a weekly Blitzmail to almost all students (skipping only those who have asked to be removed from his list), providing the whens and wheres of home games and highlighting a must-see "Game of the Week," which Keggy attends (see story at right).
Wolkoff says more students are turning out, "making games more fun as more people start coming." His observations are backed by Carlson, who notes the recent steady increase in student attendance without attributing it to any one cause.
If Wolkoff is increasing student attendance, the Abdur-Rahim twins— Ahmad and Mustafa '04 of Brookline, Massachusetts—are getting the fans riled up. Track and field athletes (Mustafa, a sprinter, is a track team co-captain), the twins have been attending approximately two events per week since arriving at Dartmouth. They have developed a fan base of their own among the Upper Valley kids who have loyally attended Dartmouth games even as students were staying away.
Ahmad sees increased fan participation as a way to build a positive image for Dartmouth. "They are representing us, man," he says of College teams. "You talk about positive community building. This is positive community building."
The athletes are appreciative. "Student support for our games is a huge advantage," says Lee Stempniak '05 of the mens ice hockey team. "Our team takes a tremendous amount of pride in playing at home and giving our fans something to cheer about."
Fired Up Ahmad (left) and MustafaAbdur-Rahim '04 ignite basketball fansat Leede Arena.
