SHANE WILSON

Students at ESU have some difficult choices to make. Aside from choosing a major, where to live, or what to eat, the biggest question that affects most students on a regular basis is one about nightlife.

What should my friends and I do tonight?

Many will choose to take a stroll in downtown Emporia and experience the bar scene. Others may stay inside and snuggle up to a good book (or one they’re required to read for tomorrow’s Econ class). Yet others will choose to submerge themselves in a college experience unlike any other.

The event I speak of is none other than an ESU sporting event, and they’re taking place right now on your very own campus.

Picture this: a packed Welch Stadium, filled with Hornet faithfuls just waiting for one last play. It’s fourth and goal and Emporia’s down by six. Only three short yards separate ESU from victory over their hated rivals, the Washburn Ichabods. A wave of thunder shoots through the stands as every Hornet fan within eyesight is standing on edge, cheering as loud as they possibly can for that three yard push. The afternoon sun beats on every spectator’s back, but they don’t seem to care. They’re in the moment. Living it. Breathing it.

The ball is snapped. The handoff is made, and the fullback ducks his head, and then…

You missed it. You missed the game of the century. Instead of cheering on the home team with your fellow students and faculty, you decide to skip the game and hope nothing exciting happens. Time and time again, students miss out on great experiences such as the one listed above for silly, apathetic reasons.

You get the point. Going to watch those familiar classroom faces compete against the best Division II competition in the country is something unlike anything you’ll ever witness. Not only will it make you proud of those players on the field, but it will also fill you with an extraordinary amount of pride in yourself, for as an Emporia State University student, we all take pride in the accomplishments of our favorite ESU student-athletes.

Don’t be afraid to be “that guy/girl” at a sporting event who goes all-out in ridiculous attire to support their team. Don’t allow yourself to get trapped in the “no one goes to the games, so why should I?” mentality.

Athletes, singers, actors, band members, artists and general performers alike all thrive on a “pumped up” or “psyched” group of viewers. Sports might not be your thing, but I implore you to give it a chance before you carelessly throw the idea aside. Who knows? You might have one hell of a good time.

Shane Wilson/The Bulletin

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