In a recent article by “Sacramento News & Review” titled “Sack State,” local sports radio commentator Grant Napear said that Sac State has no school spirit, due mostly to the fact that it is a commuter campus. However, as the article’s title implies, other people might attribute Sac State’s lack of school spirit to a losing football program.

But who or what is really to blame for the lack of school spirit on campus? Surely the football team cannot take all the blame for a lack of student involvement in campus athletics.

Obviously, football is the main draw for Sac State. As Sac State athletics’ media relations director Brian Berger points out, football is the highest grossing sport in terms of ticket sales. Furthermore, the Causeway Classic is the highest grossing game every year.

Berger said that football creates the most revenue thanks to the capacity of the football stadium and community interest. He also said that sales of football and volleyball tickets are up compared to past years. This is due to in part to the sports marketing department’s efforts to advertise games on TV and around campus, and due to the fact that the volleyball team is having a winning season during Coach Debby Colberg’s last season, said Berger.

Jaccie Irwin, communications professor and academic advisor for the Sac State football team said, “The two things most important to having a destination campus are sports and Greek. They keep students active and on campus.”

Irwin graduated from Kansas University, whose football team is currently ranked fourth in BCS standings. One merely needs to turn on a Kansas football game to see their school spirit.

Irwin argues that Kansas has the advantage of being in NCAA Division 1A and the Big 12 Conference, which allows them nationally televised sporting events (Sac State football is Division 1AA, a lower division).

Irwin said that the Kansas football team she remembers was less than stellar. In fact, they lost frequently. But that didn’t stop Irwin from attending games.

“It was about being a part of the community, about being a part of the campus and athletics,” she said.

It shouldn’t always be about wins and losses; it should be about supporting our team and showing that we value their effort regardless of the outcome, said Irwin.

Irwin also pointed out poor athletic facilities as a factor in the lack of excitement over campus sporting events.

She’s right. The basketball gym and football stadium are small and reminiscent of high school facilities. Hornet Stadium is really more of a field than a stadium.

The current Hornet Stadium was only meant to be a temporary facility when donated by Alex G. Spanos, said Irwin.

There are no current plans to build a new football stadium, though there are plans for a new Health and Wellness Center as part of Destination 2010. Students approved this, and an accompanying additional fee, in 2003. That should say something about students’ desire to better campus athletics.

Like anything else, Irwin says that school spirit will take time to develop.

Time can bring us better facilities, better teams and better rivalries. By comparison, Kansas University was founded in 1865, while Sac State was founded in 1947. Certainly a lot can change in 82 years. Perhaps in 2089 Sac State will be ranked fourth in the country.

Hey, it never hurts to dream, right?

As for me, I attended my first Sac State football game on Saturday for the 54th annual Causeway Classic against UC Davis. By not attending one football game in my three years at Sac State, I quickly realized I have been missing out.

First, I discovered that admission to all sporting events is free to students with their OneCards. Then, I wondered why I had passed up so many opportunities to attend tailgating parties. The parking lot outside of the stadium was full. Students played beer pong and painted their faces, while the marching band provided background music.

One student threw a football to a policeman riding a horse. To my astonishment, the officer caught the ball and signaled the student to “go long,” throwing him a deep pass as other onlookers cheered.

Out of all the people I spoke with at the game, those with the most to say were the many members of the Stinger Athletic Association in attendance, most of whom are also alumni.

The goal of the Stingers is to create interest and revenue for Sac State Athletics.

While they may differ in some opinions, most of the Stingers I spoke with agreed on three things: Marshall Sperbeck is doing a spectacular job of coaching Hornet football, they love football (particularly, Sac State football), and they wish more students would come out to the games.

“The culture here is to not attend,” former Stingers president and Sac State alumnus Jack Seibert said, “Winning is part of it and winning is fun, but it’s still great to come out and see the students play.”

Seibert thinks it’s obvious why most students don’t attend the games.

“It’s not brain surgery,” he said. “You win games, people come out.”

Though troubled by the lack of student involvement, the Stingers are hopeful for the future.

“It will take a few years, but I think you will begin to see things happen,” Stingers President and alumnus Wally Borland said.

Others believe change can be more immediate.

“Past administration didn’t support the athletic programs like [President] Gonzalez,” Jim Relles, Stinger and alumnus said. “He’s ruffled some feathers, but he wants change, and to stay competitive you’ve got to do new things. A lot of exciting things are happening. I’m excited about it.”

One particularly recognizable member of the Stingers is Gerald Singer. A Sac State graduate of 1965, Singer is often seen at football games leading the crowd in cheers and wearing crazy get-ups, like a recent game in which he dressed up like an Indian. Singer says he does it all in good fun.

“I’m excited just to live close to a university and to be able to participate in athletics,” he said, “It’s exciting.”

Jeff Paneda, a senior public relations major, and Sac State cross country and track and field runner said he has noticed a change in student support.

“I think [school spirit] has improved a lot. I see more people wearing school colors, but it could be better,” Paneda said.

As for Professor Irwin, she believes school spirit is up to the students.

“It makes me sad to hear students complain, but they don’t want to do anything about it,” she said, “If you don’t like the ‘commuter campus’ image, then get off your butt and go to a game.”

As the game clock wound down Saturday night and the Hornets lost the Causeway Classic for an eighth consecutive time, I watched as students, parents, and even some of the Stingers left Hornet Stadium with their heads down.

I wondered if anyone else cared about the lack of school spirit like I did. I wondered if I would be willing to come back to Sac State in 40 years, dressed like a Indian, and lead students and professors in cheers. I wondered if Sac State could ever be like Kansas University.

I guess only time will tell.

Brandon Fleshman can be reached at [email protected]