Michelle Hennessy – News Writer
Sports are an integral part of Southern, with students coming out to support the different teams and athletes on campus.
“Sports are a huge deal here,” said student athlete Amanda Rizzo. “I’m with the rugby team and we came out to support the men and women’s basketball team.”
Southern Connecticut State University’s spring sport’s season was kicked off last Wednesday at the spring pep rally as the university introduced its 2014 men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Rizzo said while all of Southern’s athletes are hugely immersed in their own sports, there’s a great deal of respect for other sports too, with a lot of Southern’s students getting behind their team.
“I’m looking forward to the track and field, softball and baseball definitely,” said Rizzo. “We all individually love our own sports but we love other sports too, it’s a big part of Southern.”
Performances from Southern’s cheerleaders, dance team and drill team encouraged support for the second round of sports this year as American football, soccer and other sports came to an end in the fall.
Southern students have a lot to look forward to this semester, with the men’s swimming and diving team currently being ranked seventh in Division II, according to the Owl’s website. Southern’s gymnastics team has also been doing well, scoring a season-high 187.125 and finishing third in a competition at Bridgeport with Temple, according to the website.
Though the pep rally only lasted an hour and only featured the basketball teams, students still filled half of Moore Field House as they watched the men’s and women’s basketball teams being introduced. The event featured free t-shirt giveaways that basketball players threw into the crowd after being introduced. There was also a boy versus girl shoot out where players from the men’s and women’s basketball teams went head-to-head, getting as many baskets as they could in a 90 second period. Members of the crowd also had their chance on the court with two people competing for prizes such as an iPod and a blu-ray player.
Games were broken up with performances from the Steppin’ Up Drill Team, a short piece by the dance team and a few “Blue! White!” chants from Southern’s cheerleaders. Southern’s mascot Otus was also at the rally, dancing along to Macklemore and other songs played by the DJ.
Basketball, track and field, baseball and lacrosse are just some of the many sports the new season brings, with men and women’s basketball games against Stonehill College and Franklin Pierce University, as well as men and women’s track happening away in Boston and gymnastics all happening this week, with more to look forward to over the semester.
It wasn’t just Southern students that attended either. People from the local area came to the rally to welcome the spring sports and see the athletes of this semester.
“I liked it,” said Amihr Best who comes from New Haven and went with friends to see the new season being kicked off. “I liked the competitions and stuff and seeing the teams, things like that. I wish it was longer but it was good.”
Best highlighted the importance of sports not only for the athletes involved, but also for the whole university to get behind as a way to boost school spirit.
“Sports are big here, it’s important,” said Best. “It’s good for school spirit too, bringing everyone together for the game.”
