Individuals. Inspirited.

In my time as a student at Alfred University, I've heard a lot of noise about the lack of school spirit on campus. While I haven't heard anyone suggest a complete absence of it in the student body, there seems to be a general consensus that the lack of attendance at AU events, and athletic events in particular, signifies a disturbing deficiency of school spirit. While I do not by any means discourage active participation and support of athletics at AU, I would also argue that disinterest in school athletics is not the same thing as disinterest in the school itself.
I personally am proud to be an Alfredian, even though I'm not involved with athletics at all. I'm proud to go to a school in which students can start their own organizations with support from faculty and fellow students. I love the fact that my classes are small and my professors are approachable. In my three and a quarter years attending this university, I've represented AU programs in various places, including Greece, Bulgaria, Pittsburgh, Pa. and Stratford, Ontario. I traveled to these locations with the AU Chamber Singers, a theatrical production, and the English department, respectively. These are only a few of the many possible trips and AU representation opportunities that I have taken myself; there are countless opportunities in different fields to represent the university, abroad or right here in Alfred. Sports teams travel and represent Alfred students, just as choirs, clubs and dancers do. Sports teams also attract a certain percentage of the student body when they play at home, just as theatrical productions, recitals, poetry readings, art shows and concerts attract their own particular populations on campus. Various activities and extracurricular groups represent the interests of diverse types of people, but they all represent Alfred students.
I would be willing to bet that if the ideal of "school spirit" could be measured by how many Alfred students get involved in some campus event that interests them, not just by measuring the number of students who show up to traditionally "major" events, we'd get a much more accurate assessment of how many people are involved and enjoying the opportunities AU has to offer. I'm not saying that every AU student bleeds purple and gold, and I'm sure that there are plenty of students who don't necessarily consider themselves proud Alfredians, but the fact remains that looking at student athletes and athletic supporters is only one of many ways to measure the zeal of the student body, especially in a university with as diverse interests as Alfred tends to attract. Some students would rather spend a Saturday afternoon in Medieval fight practice, or working on a dance for one of the many student dance productions, than going to a football game. Those students don't lack enthusiasm for AU, they just don't express it in the way that people seem to expect. To accuse a non-sports fan of lacking Alfred spirit is similar to calling a person a traitor if he or she is not interested in a local sports team. As a Massachusetts native, I love my state and I love my region, but I don't care much for football and have no interest in the New England Patriots. It's just not my scene; but this by no means makes me any less proud to be a New Englander. Similarly, I'm perfectly happy to have the Saxon sports teams win, but I express my extracurricular enthusiasm for Alfred in very different venues.
Athletic events and programs are excellent ways to get involved on a college campus and show support for the institution, but they aren't the only way. I encourage my fellow students to support their athletic peers, but when it comes to how they appreciate and represent Alfred, to follow their own interests; from a cappella to basketball, it's all Alfredian and it's all good.