Lack of Sports or Lack of Spirit

Last fall, Jason Berring, junior, HCOM, went to the Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) bookstore and bought a t-shirt which has an Otter with a football picture on the front side and the phrase on the back, "Still Undefeated." This t-shirt is a reference to the non-existent football team. Berring does not believe he is the only student wising for a broader athletics program and senses there is an overall lack of school spirit as a result of limited competitive sports. He admits to being well aware that it costs a lot of money to maintain various athletic programs, but believes they are essential to the college experience.

Cody Laverdiere, sophomore, Biology, believes he is properly updated on Otter Athletics programs and events. However, Laverdiere admits his knowledge and school spirit is probably a result of being part of the Associated Students Committee and thinks that other students would be less likely to be as aware and excited for the school. He also believes the key lies in expanding the variety of available sports programs. Laverdiere said, "We need a tennis team, also football, and track—please!"

Justin Sanabria-Rodriguez, sophomore, Kinesiology, echoes this sentiment for more variety. Sanabria-Rodriguez would like to see a tennis team as well and added "Let students vote for sports of their choice."

This is one of the reasons why Berring thinks the lack of competitive sports at CSUMB robs students of the complete college experience. Otter Athletics has fourteen sports programs which include sports like cross country, baseball, soccer, and basketball. However, Berring is especially eager to see to see a football team at CSUMB. According to Berring, "While baseball is America's pastime, football is America's favorite sport." Berring further noted both the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas are rich with football history because many current and past NFL players are from or currently live in this region.

Vince Otoupal, Director of Athletics at CSUMB is aware of the concerns voiced by students and asserts, "We are looking at expanding." However, he believes the support should focus on the existing sports programs. Otoupal welcomes a tennis team in the future, and believes the tennis club is doing great, but forming a football team "is a real investment." He refers to the approximate one hundred players in a football team which extends to the cost of coaching salaries, scholarships equipment, travel, and insurance. CSUMB is in the Division 2 level for intercollegiate athletics, and the only other college in the Cal State system is Humboldt. Otoupal said, "If you look at their schedule they continue to play the same teams over and over and over."

Otoupal thinks the investment would be better spent on improving the current athletic facilities vice investing in intercollegiate athletics with limited funding. Due to the statewide financial crisis and education shortfalls, Otoupal believes "there are things that are here on campus that have more immediate need for us to improve." He also believes the tennis court needs work and the only gym on campus is overcrowded. According to Otoupal, the Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Ronnie Higgs, and CSUMB President, Dr. Dianne Harrison, both agree with him on the need to improve the facilities.

Easton Henrickson, Administrative Support of Athletics, believe there is more to the issue of CSUMB athletics than the lack of competition and budget concerns. Her wish list includes more sports facilities to accommodate sports practice and competitions. However, Henrickson thinks a deeper problem is a lack of communication between students and organizers. Henrickson, believes students are not always aware which sports are playing and do not get the chance to develop school spirit. This is in part because the sports announcements are not prominent enough for students to take notice and most of the master calendar and e-mail notifications are ignored.

One student is particularly concerned about the lack of team spirit on campus and is on a mission to bring a football team to CSUMB. Shaun Chase, HCOM, Senior has made the development a CSUMB football team the focus of his Capstone. Chase said "I really want to start getting the idea out there so people get excited about the possibility. I really think a football program at this University would contribute immensely to our schools culture. There are a lot of unique aspects about this school that would allow it to succeed. My project is basically figuring out all the logistics for the program so that it all makes sense in that manner."