Editor:

I find it quite amusing, yet somewhat disturbing, that it takes a designated “”Spirit Night”” to get students interested enough to attend a UCSD athletic event. To me, those with true spirit are the ones enthusiastic enough to attend out of free will. Attending athletic events is a great experience, not something to be ashamed of.

Last weekend, I grabbed a few friends and traveled to Northridge and Santa Barbara, where we saw the UCSD men’s volleyball team play. True, the team may not be a national powerhouse, but going to RIMAC Arena with a few others and heckling visiting teams until our throats hurt is lots of fun.

Many may not realize the power of our ice hockey squad, which has had substantial victories over UCLA, Berkeley, USC and San Diego State University, among others. It has been invited to its first-ever national championship tournament, to be held March 1-3 in Georgia, earning a second seed in the West bracket. Attending home games at UTC and supporting a winning team makes for a great time.

Lacrosse opens its home season as we speak, while baseball is also on the horizon. These are by no means dull sports, either.

I feel we’re kidding ourselves to portray one night a year as a symbol of true UCSD spirit. Those students and fans who actually show up often do so to support friends, or because they just love the sport. The seed for real athletic support is there. The constant complaints of “”Why should we support a sub-par, Division II program empty of any notoriety?”” are useless. Nothing will change unless students stop whining and take action.

I challenge every UCSD student to take a few nights off, choose a few athletic events and come make some noise. It never hurts to go a little crazy. Showing continuous support as students and as fans is what real “”spirit”” is all about.

— Darren Greene

Muir senior