Are Drake students ‘bleeding blue’?

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Sitting in the stands and surrounded by Sitting in the stands, surrounded by all your friends, there is something special about cheering on your fellow Drake Bulldogs. Although it is rare to see students flooding into most Drake sporting events, it is important to support all members of the Drake community. There is nothing like the roar of the crowd when a player scores an amazing goal, gets a kill or hits a perfect three. The sound of a cheering crowd creates excitement and fun for both players and fans.

“The fans bring energy so when they get pumped up so does the team,” first-year Symone Daniels said of the importance of school spirit for the women’s basketball team. “It creates a positive atmosphere for the game and without the fans it is much harder to get pumped up and excited.”

After the men’s win over Iowa State a couple weeks ago, the team ran to the student section to celebrate with the fans. As fans and players hugged, cheered and high fived, there was no denying the school spirit in the stands that night. This type of school spirit and the roar and support of the crowd fuels the players and brings excitement and energy to the game.

“I think there is a lot of school spirit,” first-year cheerleader, Alana Linde said. “At the Iowa State game there was a great turn out. There are also a lot of alumni that come back to support the teams and I think the band does a good job of rallying the students.”

Student Senate’s First-Year Interest Committee, Student Activities Board and Drake Athletics have come up with a creative way to boost school spirit. The Bleed Blue Hall of the Year Competition will last for the remainder of the academic year with a vision to encourage high attendance at athletic events. Prizes will be awarded for the winning first-year hall as well as winning upperclassmen hall.

“We want to boost school spirit because at a small school it is important to support your peers,” Alessa Strelecki, a member of the First-Year Interest Committee, said. “We want it to be well rounded so there is more equal attendance for all sports. Every athlete works really hard and deserves the support of other students.”

Tracking attendance began at the final volleyball game of the season versus Creighton on Nov. 19. After showing student IDs upon entering an event, the number of students from each hall will be tallied and students will receive raffle tickets for various prizes sponsored by Drake athletics. Prizes include free subs from Planet Sub, free pizza from Papa John’s, t-shirts, sweatshirts and other prizes.

Women’s basketball takes on North Dakota tonight at the Knapp Center, men’s basketball takes on Air Force on Saturday, Dec. 3 and the track and field team will travel to Iowa State on Dec. 9 for the Iowa State Holiday Preview.