Former Green Bay Packers coaching great Vince Lombardi once said, “A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a medieval study hall.”  I would love to wholeheartedly agree with Vince on this issue, considering he was named “Coach of the Century” by ESPN, however I think he might have mistaken the word football for the word sports. 

A school without sports is in danger of deteriorating into a medieval study hall is what Vince really meant.  Try and imagine what a college campus without sports would be like, boring images should start to come to mind.  Sports on college campuses, whether they are intramural teams or NCAA Division I teams, play a crucial role in college lives. 
           
It is the existence of an athletics program that unites all students under a common theme: victory and pride.  Given an athletic program to stand behind and sports teams to support, all students are able to get involved, both on and off the court.

The student athletes are not the only ones who reap the benefits of an athletics program.  Pep rallies, silly chants, attending games, buying T-shirts, caps, and any other paraphernalia to support the team, are all ways the rest of the student body is able to get involved. It isn’t just about being on the court or field that makes sports something to look forward to, it’s the intensity and adrenaline rush of knowing you are part of a team that makes it worthwhile for a fan. 
           
That love of the game and fun for all fans is on its way to our campus.

So, all us Dillos have to do now is wait for next fall when we can jump on the NAIA bandwagon and start supporting athletics on campus.  The ringing in of 2007 has already brought new changes to the Athletic Department.  The head volleyball coach position was filled by Mark Lee, and along with the new head coach of the men’s soccer team, Shane Hurley, they are both well on their way to building a strong foundation for collegiate sports on campus. 

But why wait until then when there are so many opportunities to become a part of athletics on campus right now.  The club women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball teams are all ready to tackle the second half of their seasons. Why not check out their schedules and make it out to a game or two to show some support?

There is no need to wait for the official launch of the NAIA teams to find a reason to support athletics on campus.  The current teams are full of student athletes who are eager to play every week and represent OLLU to the best of their ability.  It is time more of their fellow students showed up to support them.  
The addition of the NAIA men’s soccer team and women’s volleyball team should not reveal an entire new group of athletic supporters on campus, but rather should tap into an already existing one.  A group of avid supporters who show up to different sporting events on campus should already exist and be awaiting in anticipation for the NAIA additions next fall.

Check out the team schedules and show support for the student athletes who already devote so much of their time to making the school proud. Along with showing your support for the sports of today, be ready to greet and welcome the new additions to the Athletic Department of tomorrow.
It is Pat Riley, four-time NBA championship head coach and current head coach of the Miami Heat who sums it up best, “Commitment to the team – there is no such thing as in between, you are either in or out.”
           
GO DILLOS!!