As a freshman coming to college, students tend to have some nerves coming into a new environment. College is its own landscape with people from different states, countries and backgrounds all coming to one area. For some students sports is a binding force that allows for some common ground to start conversations, and Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s athletic department provides the community with various sporting events for students to attend for free.
Sporting games serve as one of NSU’s ways for encouraging freshmen to come be a part of the university. NSU houses sports like volleyball, basketball, soccer, track and field, tennis and even club sports.
Stacey Aldredge, associate head coach on Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s Lady Demons volleyball team, shared how the sporting environment can be very welcoming and energetic for freshmen.
“Come to the games and have that school pride and cheer on and to have fun with it,” Aldredge said. “I believe sports is such a big part of life, especially in college to have those good memories and to be more involved in the sports world.”
Ian Brophy, women’s soccer head coach, explained how sporting events are a part of college life and to get the full college experience, you have to be in that sporting atmosphere.
“I think college sports is a big part of college life and it is important to get involved and even if you are not a part of the team just going and cheering for the team brings a great vibe for not just the team but the players,” Brophy said.
Reaghan Thompson, sophomore volleyball middle blocker and nursing major, explained how athletes want fan interaction and welcome all students to come to games and interact with players.
“You know it is always good to see fans at the stands and we see regulars that we talk to not only after games but just meeting them outside of school,” Thompson said. “And as players we aren’t hard to approach whether it is after the game or before we are very social and love to interact with fans.”
Ashlyn Svoboda, junior volleyball libero player and biology major, shared how important it is for freshmen to make friends and how sports can be a getaway to form friendships.
“As a freshman you come to a new area and making friends is important and coming to the game can be an easy way to make friends,” Svoboda said.
Players want to create a community that prides itself with their teams. They hope that freshmen can trust them and join the Demon family with a network of support.
Teresa Garza, junior outside hitter and sports and recreation management major, explained how anytime fans interact with the game is a moment that players enjoy.
“Something I talk to my professors about is bringing more people to games and really building a community because them coming to our games is just as important as us playing and so building that trust and union with them is important,” Garza said.
Former freshmen shared their experience and what it means to come to the games and how it can not only be a thrilling evening and a moment of joy for all.
Cameron Murphy, senior and graphic communication major, explained the importance of school spirit from a fan’s perspective.
“Honestly I believe that freshmen coming to the games is important because you really get the feel of the school’s atmosphere,” Murphy said. “But also it can lead to better outcomes in games due to the cheers and overall see the improvement in school spirit.”
Kirsten Knobloch, graduate student and clinical psychology major, shared the positives that she got coming to games and advocates that attending sporting events can be good for students.
“You know I believe going to sporting events is important because it can lead to new friends being made and when I went, I made friends that I hung out with through college,” Knobloch said.
It might be different for former athletes to attend games they are no longer a part of, but it’s a chance and a place for people to meet the athletes that represent the school. While it may be nerve wracking to attend an event where you might be encouraged to converse with new people, a sporting event may be less scary as a freshman.
