Top College News Subscribe to the Newsletter

Get Them to Verizon Center

Letter to the Editor

Published: Monday, February 13, 2012

Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 01:02

To the Editor:

You know the feeling when you grab your favorite box of cereal and it's almost empty? How disappointed you are to be holding mostly broken pieces? Well, that's exactly what the student section at basketball games has been like this season: almost empty and incredibly disappointing. But it's also embarrassing to our university, both in person and on national TV.

The article "What Advantage? Attendance Down 14%" (The Hoya, A10, Feb. 9, 2012) cites a bunch of lame excuses about why students aren't coming to basketball games this season. No, Verizon Center isn't located on campus. But it does sell beer — take that, Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Have you ever wondered what "cura personalis" on those banners around campus means? It means, "You are so incredibly lucky to be going to Georgetown University and to have a consistent top-25 basketball program. So go to all of the home games!"

I know spending all week in Lauinger Library can be tempting, but you're not going to remember anything you studied or wrote in there after you graduate. I don't remember how to calculate the optimal provision of a public good; I don't remember the order of the Byzantine dynasties; I certainly don't remember anything from "Comparative Political Systems."

What are you going to remember about Georgetown? You're going to remember going to basketball games with your friends, traveling to basketball games with your friends and Chicken Finger Thursday. Oh, and talking about basketball games with your friends.

If you don't show up to the basketball games, why did you even pick Georgetown? I'm sure there are plenty of students over at GW who would love to take your place. So let's get this attendance problem fixed, and quickly — before Notre Dame upsets us, too. We're better than that.

Eric Rodawig (COL '07)

Former Viewpoint Editor for The Hoya 

Recommended: Articles that may interest you

6 comments

TexaHoya
Fri Feb 17 2012 14:07
This is silly. No person who is serious about their education picks a University just for their top-25 basketball or football program. I love Georgetown basketball and I watch every single game, whether I can make it to the arena or not, and I think that says enough about my fandom. I'd be interested in hearing what Mr. Rodawig studied in his time here at Georgetown, because it sounds like he had a lot more time on his hands than a lot of other students (all of the Pre-med students) in the College.

I chose Georgetown because I knew I would get an excellent education and it would prepare me well for medical school and a career. The basketball is supplementary and appreciated, but not necessary by any means.

Disappointed... not at the attendance rate
Wed Feb 15 2012 12:32
Are you serious, Eric?!

"Have you ever wondered what "cura personalis" on those banners around campus means? It means, "You are so incredibly lucky to be going to Georgetown University and to have a consistent top-25 basketball program. So go to all of the home games!"" -- Um, actually it means care for the whole person.... So, yeah, all those other things students are doing besides/in addition to paying attention to basketball.

"No, Verizon Center isn't located on campus. But it does sell beer - take that, Cameron Indoor Stadium." -- So, students should want to go to Verizon Center because of the $9 beer... available to 21+. And yeah you're right, students just go ANYWHERE because of the beer. Nice.

"I know spending all week in Lauinger Library can be tempting, but you're not going to remember anything you studied or wrote in there after you graduate. ..." -- Sure I don't remember everything I wrote, but I remember a lot, and some of the things I'm most proud of were some of the papers or projects I completed at Georgetown. And I certainly remember what was taught in many of my classes. yes, there are the filler ones, but there are also life changing ones.

"If you don't show up to the basketball games, why did you even pick Georgetown?" -- I mean I can't even respond to this...

Anonymous
Wed Feb 15 2012 11:00
Museums and student government projects are for nerds.
Anonymous
Wed Feb 15 2012 00:45
I'm sorry if I don't care enough to wake up early to watch us crush the University of South Florida. It's not my fault that the 5 biggest games on our schedule (Cuse, Kansas, Louisville, and Marquette twice) are in Syracuse, Maui, Louisville, over break, and Milwaukee. I'm going to 3 home games this year, UConn, Nova, and Notre Dame, and maybe the Big East Tourney.
Anony
Wed Feb 15 2012 00:21
I don't go to basketball games because I don't like basketball. "I certainly don't remember anything from "Comparative Political Systems." Cool, bro.
Anonymous
Tue Feb 14 2012 17:18
I don't like how basketball fans think that basketball must be the seminal experience for all Georgetown undergrads. Perhaps other students enjoy spending Saturday going to a museum, working on a student government project, or recovering from a party the night before. All are fun and formative experiences students will remember after they graduate. You don't see those non-basketball fans yelling at basketball fans to go to the museum, join their group, or come to their party.

If a student decides that basketball isn't that important to their college experience, respect their choice. The student attendance at Georgetown games means nothing to anyone outside of the college basketball world. And I assure you, there is life beyond basketball.







log out