Sheridan’s varsity teams struggle to fill stands

A men’s soccer game against Lambton College last year was sparsely attended. (Photo courtesy of the Sheridan Bruins)

STORY BY NATALIA CAMARENA

Lack of student support at varsity games has plagued the Sheridan Bruins for years.

Front row and courtside seats don’t cost a penny, yet game after game there is an empty cheering section.

Scott Hunt, head coach of the women’s volleyball team, believes that a more involved student body could make a significant difference.

“The more support we have in the stands helps to create a better atmosphere for playing competitive sports,” Hunt said. “It would encourage the athletes to play hard and the cheering from fans would make playing more enjoyable from the athlete’s perspective.”

Not only would it mean more involvement from the Sheridan community, it could boost team success.

“It would attract better players to come to Sheridan, because they want to play in that type of environment,” Hunt said.

Sheridan’s athletes and coaches are focused on the game, but the empty bleachers don’t go unnoticed.

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“Very few people come out to support the home games,” said Natalie Nehlawi, member of the women’s rugby team.

Athletics at Sheridan seem to fly under the radar, remaining a mystery to many students.

“I’ve only ever seen one poster about a sports game at school,” said Frances Farrugia, a second-year Gerontology student. “I don’t even know where games are, and most of the time I’m too busy between class and work.”

Sheridan is not the only school with poor attendance at games.

“This is very typical of Canadian collegiate sport,” said Jim Flack, head coach of the men’s basketball team.

Occasionally, Sheridan’s student body does come out in large numbers.

“The men’s soccer championships were very well attended,” said Tom Hipsz, student athlete advisor. “Also, certain basketball games, especially Humber, draw a packed gymnasium.”

There is potential for games to be more regularly attended at Sheridan.

Sabrina Mirabelli, a second-year Social Service Worker student said, “If games were on a consistent day, at a certain campus, or were in a block of time when no students had classes I think more people would be inclined to go.”

Travel shouldn’t be an obstacle for students, because the free inter-campus shuttle bus runs every hour.

For more information on Sheridan’s athletics please visit: http://sheridanbruins.com/