Let's not forget the little guy

Perhaps it is because I am sick of losing. Or perhaps I just wanted the tangible proof of what I have already known for years (that I am the best). But after three consecutive failures to capture that elusive Alfie award, I have come to a decision: perhaps it is not me that needs to change, but the voting process for the award.

Not to discredit the "Eddie Money Hour" or this year's winner "Pirate Radio", but should I be deprived of campus wide recognition just because I lack the popularity or a friend base that consistently forgets to vote?

Now, I am not trying to pretend the theme of this article is not extremely pretentious. My arrogance demands me to think I have the best radio show in Alfred, so understandably I am disappointed when I discover not everyone agrees with me.

And Jim Morretti, I hate to call you out on this one, but two nominations for Male Athlete of the Year? You wouldn't want to take the opportunity to shine a tiny light on some of the other, often overlooked athletes we have at AU? A chance to show the public we have a soccer team and a track team too. Or perhaps you have overlooked them too.

I take pride in being nominated for an Alfie. It means someone has acknowledged our abilities as a performer, athlete or student leader. If we are all satisfied with this being a popularity contest, why not change the categories to "Most Popular Fiat Lux Staff Member" or "The Dancer with the Most Friends Award"?

Can the award really hold that much prestige if it is little more than a glorified symbol of how many people an individual knows on campus?

I mean, how does one measure "achievement"? Certainly a familiarity with what you are voting for would help, but why leave the decision of what is "the best" in the hands of a student body that is less likely to attend the Alfies than the parties that proceed and follow the event?

I'm not suggesting we remove the student component of the vote. But when 325 students, or roughly 10 percent of the community, are determining the outcome, would it not help the merit and value of the awards if a knowledgeable and competent committee helped to determine who most deserves the recognition?

Are education and validity not the reason that Homecoming kings and queens are designated through process and approval of a committee? Perhaps it is time to rethink the levels of education motivating the Alfies constituents.

Who is going to stand up and fight for the little guy if not enough people know who the little guy is? Furthermore, should a nominee's not having the most friends limit his or her accomplishments?