Kevin Shannahan/Opinion

Last year’s NSU Homecoming volleyball match against McNeese was an absolute joy to witness. While the end result was not as we would have wished, the match was superbly played on both sides, taking a full 5 sets to finally determine a victor. The players were on fire. The Spirit of Northwestern Band tried to blow the roof off Prather. The Dazzlers, Pom Line, and cheerleaders never stopped. Every time a McNeese player attempted to serve, a volcano of noise erupted. As I watched and listened, an idea began to form. There is no reason every athlete at NSU cannot have at least one game or match with the band and spirit groups solidly behind them.

Now that NSU’s new leadership is in place, I would like to propose the following to President Genovese. From this moment forward, every female sport as well as the Track and Field team, has at least one of their home games or matches fully supported by the university to the same extent as a home football game – band, spirit groups, the whole nine yards.

This is not only the right thing to do, but it would also be good for the university as well. Treating every sport as if it was the football team would be a wonderful way to set us apart from other colleges and universities. I don’t know of any other institution that does this. From volleyball to soccer, softball, track and field, tennis and women’s basketball, it is time to “Go, ye Demons take the field”! Make it so.

The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Natchitoches Parish Journal.  If you have an article or story of interest for publishing consideration by the NPJ, please send it to NPJNatLa@gmail.com.