Around Ray E. Didier field last week for the showdown against Louisiana State University versus Nicholls, I noticed a lot of color conflict, and by that I mean not enough people were wearing red and grey.

More than half of the entire facility was in purple, not in Colonel red; moreover, some Nicholls students were even seen in purple and gold and it is simply disrespectful. It has never been clearer to me that the city of Thibodaux is not behind their local university. I have never seen a dead sold-out crowd as I did last week. No one participated in the cheers brought on by recordings such as “Day-oh” or any others. Especially in a game of this caliber, one would think there would be a lot of cheering. Although Nicholls was behind most of the game, when they did score a run there was very subtle cheering.

Nicholls is one of the newest public universities in our state. It is perhaps one of the more unique campuses in Louisiana on a count of its size, venue and culture. A lot of people don’t even know where we are located. I think the biggest problem we have as far as Nicholls not being well represented is the fact that we have one of the smaller athletics programs compared to other schools. Although a division one school, Nicholls football has not won a conference championship since 2005, when they defeated McNeese State University. Our baseball team in recent years have been successful and has made it to the Southland Conference Tournament two years in a row, as well as beating LSU at Alex Box Stadium last season. I would think more people would be proud; however, winning in football, baseball or any other sport should not define how you show your school pride.

In recent years, our campus has done better with representing Nicholls by wearing more red and grey. There was a time where most all Nicholls students wore LSU or The University Alabama colors on campus. On Yik Yak, there was a post that said “why do people wear LSU hoodies on campus? Because Nicholls hoodies are too expensive.” Another reason I have heard, it is hard to find Nicholls apparel. Although those are valid reasons, they aren’t excuses. You can go to the Thibodaux Wal-Mart and get Nicholls stuff fairly cheap. Most of it is Russell Athletic wear if you are a brand snob. There is a nice selection of t-shirts that are fairly inexpensive. Over the winter break I purchased a nice pair of Nicholls flannel pajama bottoms for only $15. Academy Sports and Outdoors will be opening in Thibodaux soon and it will be interesting to see what college apparel they will be carrying, hopefully Nicholls gear will be sold there. The Houma store carries mostly LSU clothing.

Since the rebranding, I have noticed that more students have turned up their Colonel pride. When Nicholls Alum Grant Ordoyne started the “Confused Colonels” movement, students were almost scared to wear other school’s colors on campus because they thought they were going to get caught. I always knew that I would receive my degree from Nicholls, but when I was in high school and then spent a year at Fletcher Community College, I wore LSU gear on a regular basis; however, when I set foot on this campus as a student, I never wore purple and gold. My grandfather taught at LSU and my father received his education there as well, so naturally I went for LSU as a child. I still go for the Tigers, but I am never confused because I know that Nicholls is my school. It’s okay to support another team that you like, but always go for your school too. Just out of respect, root for your school.

I have several friends that are athletes and I can tell you that they do not appreciate students wearing other school’s attire on campus, let alone at a game. They feel betrayed and dishonored. They chose to play at this school because they love being here, when their peers do not respect them, they have no motivation to perform for students, only for themselves.

In the midst of this budget crisis and the state of higher education still in a fog, now is the time to show your school pride. Wearing another school’s logo on your own campus is disrespectful and it shows. Wearing Nicholls Red is now more important than ever. Embrace your inner Colonel. There is nothing wrong with going for another college team if you like them too, just make sure Nicholls is your no. 1.