People attend sports games for the thrill of competition and the atmosphere live sports bring. For that atmosphere, though, you need a crowd, and the bigger the better.
Over the past year, Carleton University Athletics has made major efforts to try and drum up crowds at Ravens’ sports events. These efforts include licensing parts of the Ravens’ Nest and organizing special events like the Alumni weekend. Athletics should be commended and encouraged for their efforts because our student athletes need the support and the best way to give them that support is through attendance at games.
However, the way games are currently scheduled leaves teams competing for crowds as well as goals. Scheduling a hockey game at the same time as the basketball home openers is counter-productive.
In reality, game schedules should work towards greater synthesis. That way spectators can go to a soccer game at one in the afternoon, hockey at three and cap the day off with basketball at five, rather than have to pick from one of three games occurring at the same time. In line with this, it makes sense for Carleton to work with the leagues to create less conflicting schedules.
If game times were staggered rather than clumped, we would see greater attendance at games and this would create the supportive and energetic atmosphere that our athletes need.