The newly launched Blue Crew, the AU student fan group, has defied the odds to rally school spirit for AU student athletics. The group boasts 580 members, a significant improvement over the 25 members of the Screaming Eagles, the Blue Crew's predecessor.
Attendance was high at the basketball game earlier this week, and those in attendance reported a healthy amount of cheering from AU students.
At a school more known for its political activity, academics and location than outstanding athletics, it's difficult to get a large student turnout at sporting events. (In fact, it's hard to get more than 100 AU students to do anything at the same time, and anyone who does so gets a much-deserved pat on the back.)
The lack of a football team certainly can't be helping, but most AU students didn't come here under the illusion that they would be going to a Big 10-type school. Our student athletes excel in their academics. And they aren't agricultural journalism majors.
AU students also don't have a real rivalry to rally behind. No one cares too much about the alleged Patriot League rivalry with Holy Cross, and real local rivals, like George Washington and Georgetown, don't play in the same league as AU.
What many students don't realize is that although AU doesn't have a strong national reputation for excelling at sports, within the Patriot League many teams are actually quite good. The women's volleyball team and the field hockey team are usually quite good, and so far this year the men's basketball team is undefeated. Hopefully AU students will continue to make Blue Crew events successful and keep turning out for games. AU's student athletes deserve our support.
