PUBLISHED: 12-01-08

Columbia athletics deserves attention, too

Columbia is home to many unique and quirky things that set it apart from other colleges—a beautiful urban campus, multitalented students and professors, the notorious elevators in the South Campus Building, 624 S. Michigan Ave., and much more. But one thing the school is not home to is a thriving athletics program, and many students think it is time for that to change.

Under the current setup, all athletic teams at Columbia are considered student organizations. Therefore, they fall under the umbrella of Student Organization Council. They receive a small amount of funding from SOC and, like all other clubs, are expected to fundraise in order to secure additional funds for their operating budgets.

Whether students love them or hate them, sports do play an important role in the lives of many students on campus. For that reason, athletics should be separated from SOC, in an attempt to revamp the program and create a more vibrant athletics presence.

Although making athletics a program of its very own may seem like a daunting task, the hard work will pay off in the long run. The addition of a more visible sports program may even lead to increased alumni relations. By adding a small athletics fee to students’ tuition—perhaps just $10 a semester—the college could be well on its way to producing enough money to support a standalone athletics department. Where the school comes up short, teams could fundraise to fill the gaps.

It is important to remember that Columbia is an arts college. Some students shudder at the thought of the athletics program having a more distinct presence. Sports certainly shouldn’t take over everything, and it is important to remember the roots of the college—arts and creativity. But sports and art can coexist in harmony if given the opportunity. They are not mutually exclusive. Students who have little interest in sports can still get involved by designing uniforms, creating songs and much more. Some art students who have never been exposed to collegiate sports might not know what they are missing. They should at least have the opportunity to find out.

There are many advantages to revamping Columbia’s current athletics program, including the creation of a recognizable mascot. Even people who hate sports often enjoy mascots. It is time for Columbia to have a true, recognizable mascot of its own—one that is unique but still embodies Columbia’s “create change” mantra.

A more visible sports program could provide for a sense of community that sports programs create. They give students another reason to feel like a part of their college campus. Athletics help create a strong camaraderie among students. The student body needs, and deserves, a team to rally behind.

One thing is certain—Columbia needs to invest in an athletics program of its own. For students who are already proud to call Columbia home, it will create one more point for pride. And for students who are not very proud of the college, it will give them a new reason to be.

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