With student attendance at women's basketball games on the decline, its become apparent that women's basketball is living in the shadow of the men's team.
It's unlikely that current students simply aren't interested in women's basketball. The women's team doesn't receive the hype that the men's team does, nor do many students consider the game as exciting as the men's. This is a blatant falsehood, for the women's game can be just as physical and action-packed.
The team is still in the race for the Ivy League title and has a bright future with three freshmen getting lots of playing time, but with a men's program that is exploding with talent and very popular among students, the women's team is in a period where it cannot compete for fan support.
Students are already spread thin with the many social options for weekends, but with a men's basketball team that is hotter than ever, student attendance at women's games is understandably hurting. Last Saturday night, students did not even use up all of the 100 free tickets given away by the class of 1951.
Women's basketball is also competing with hockey for fan support. Men's hockey has seen increased attendance over the last two seasons despite teams that finished in the bottom of their division. It's hard to say if men's hockey and women's basketball draw from the same fan base, but they definitely do share common fans to an extent.
The student attendance decrease is an unfortunate twist for the women's team. Players and coaches from any sport say that attendance and fan support is key in getting motivated for a game. Players looking into the stands and seeing crowds they can count is no doubt disheartening for the women's team.
With last year's 30 percent increase in overall attendance at men's basketball games, the popularity of basketball is obviously spreading. Undoubtedly, as the current breed of Dartmouth students realize that all the excitement of the men's game can be seen in a women's game, fans will return.
In order to speed this transfer of fan support, women's basketball must become more visible to students. Game dates and times need to posted in public areas, and players need to talk up their games to friends, and friends of friends. This is the only change that can be done on their part, for the rest is up to Dartmouth students to support their team.
