Wins, wins, wins… but who is there to watch?
Lea Krusemeyer (She/Her) // Sports Editor
Mesh Devkota (He/Him) // Illustrator
Being busy is part of being a university student—between assignments, midterms, and presentations, it often seems like there aren’t enough hours in a day. But while many of us are just getting through our academic to-do lists, student-athletes are doing double duty, balancing the responsibilities of school and sports. Capilano Blues athletes show up, put in the work and win games for the school as well as themselves. So, shouldn’t it be the norm for us to show up and support them? Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. The bleachers at many Capilano Blues games remain empty, and you have to wonder: why aren’t we there?
One of the primary reasons goes beyond a simple lack of interest. Since Capilano University is a commuter school, most students don’t have the time to stick around after class. Games typically start after 5 p.m. and by that time, most of us are already on our way home. “Most days, I simply go to class, go to my car and then drive home,” says Andreea Maxinianu, a fourth-year Communications student at CapU. It’s a routine many students at CapU share.
Another issue? CapU doesn’t exactly make it easy to find information on games, or even to feel connected to athletics. CapU’s student-athletes spend most of their time in the Centre for Sport and Wellness (CSW), disconnected from the main academic areas. Unless you’re a regular at the on-campus gym, you might never set foot in the CSW, which is the main place to get information about games, scores or the history of the Capilano Blues. “On a normal day spent between classes in Birch or the Library, I rarely see advertisements for games or even a game schedule. I really don’t know what the Blues are doing most of the time,” says Aylin Polo, another fourth-year Communications student. Without visible promotion, it’s hard for students to keep track of what’s happening or feel connected to the teams. While information about games can be found online, many students don’t know where to look.
Beyond promotion, there’s a bigger issue: CapU doesn’t deliver on the culture of college sports the way schools in the U.S. do. Divya Kumar, a third-year student, summed it up well: “There are no cheerleaders, no fireworks, none of the fun things I see at U.S. schools’ games. For me, who’s not an expert on most sports, there needs to be entertainment. Otherwise, I get bored.” While some might argue that the game itself should be motivation enough, it’s hard to deny that the sports culture at CapU is missing the showbiz factor. A bit of fanfare and excitement could go a long way toward making Blues games feel like an experience, not just a game.
Although it seems easy to blame the school for a lack of promotion and fun, it wouldn’t be fair to blame them alone. Sure, the university could do better with promotion and scheduling, but building campus culture is ultimately up to us. Imagine a packed gym, students cheering celebrating every point the Blues score.
Supporting our teams isn’t just about showing up for a game. It’s about creating a sense of pride and belonging on a campus where that often feels lacking. So, next time you walk to the parking lot, make a detour through the Centre for Sport and Wellness. Grab a friend and show up to a game. Let’s bring the energy and, who knows, maybe with enough attendance, there will be cheerleaders one day, too.