As an observant Nicholls football fan, I was very upset in the amount of students that disappeared after halftime of the Homecoming game two weeks ago. In light of the tragedy that occurred before the game, I am aware that many people did not feel up to staying for the rest of the game and I totally agree and understand that. This article is more of a way to try and get more people to come and those who already come to stay for the entire game. I know that Nicholls is not the powerhouse like that school in Baton Rouge, but that does not mean we cannot support them. Home games are suppose to be an advantage for the home team, but when there are barely any fans in the stands the home field advantage is not what it could be.

As a former Colonel athlete, I can tell you from first hand experience that you play better when there are more people in the stands at a game. With more people comes a better atmosphere. When you have that support behind you, the game means that much more to you and you play that much harder. I actually enjoyed playing on the road at times more than I did at home.

When I arrived at the game two weeks ago, I was somewhat surprised in the amount of students in the student section. At most of the previous games I attended only a few hundred students would come, but at Homecoming the student section was almost full. I realize that a lot of the students were there because it was Homecoming and many of the fraternities and sororities had members on the Homecoming court. I was more surprised in the fact that so many of them left after halftime.

As and avid football fan the last time I checked a football game lasts 60 minutes not 30. I don’t think I have ever seen a team win a game in just 30 minutes. If you talk to most football fans they can tell you that games are one in the fourth quarter not the first. Football coaches don’t inspire their players by yelling “first quarter, first quarter.” They inspire them to push themselves as hard as they can yelling, “fourth quarter, fourth quarter.” You don’t see players holding up the number one to signify the fourth quarter, they hold up four fingers.

You would not order food from a restaurant and leave before you get it, so why would you leave halfway through a football game. I bet people who go to watch that school in Baton Rouge play don’t leave after halftime, but I bet after the Tennessee game they might start.

Along with the people who leave at halftime, I would also like to invite those people who stay out in the parking lot and tailgating area while the game is going on to come inside. It may surprise you that there is actually a football game going on, “that’s what all the noise is coming from the stadium.”

I know that people don’t want to hear about budget cuts anymore than they have too, but athletics play a significant part in this university, for those who think athletics should be cut. By even showing up for a simple football game on Saturday afternoon we can show how much Nicholls really means to students and the community of Thibodaux.

For the students who read this article, I would like you to look around in your classes. I can almost guarantee you that a Nicholls athlete is in one of your classes and would love your support anyway possible. So those of you who think that there is nothing to do on Saturday, why not come out and support the Colonel Football team and for those of you who do come to the game, I encourage you to stay for the entire game.