1.Go to an away game.
It almost doesn't even matter what sport you choose to go watch, but make sure it is well attended -- football, basketball, baseball or lacrosse all work well. As sports fans, it is easy to sit in the stands and criticize the home team while everyone around you is doing the same, but nothing will raise the true fan in you like sitting in the middle of a bunch of Yale fans, and cheering for your beloved Big Green classmates. During my time here, I have been a spectator at two Dartmouth away games (coincidentally, both of the games were played at Harvard). Nothing has brought out my love for the College more than watching my friends on the men's basketball and women's volleyball teams compete against the hated Crimson in a gym full of Harvard fans. If you consider yourself a fan of Dartmouth athletics, do yourself a favor and go watch a game played outside of the friendly confines of Hanover.
2.Go watch the figure skating team.
Here at Dartmouth, we have two teams each winter that perennially compete for national championships. The ski team is well known -- and rightfully so. But there is another team on campus that has won about nine national championships in a row (or so it seems). The figure skating team competes at the highest collegiate level. I've only seen one practice, but we do have a team of amazing skaters. Although the team doesn't often compete in Hanover, check out the practice schedule and try to go over to Thompson Arena and watch our figure skaters.
3.Watch a crew race from the banks of the Connecticut River.
As I am a member of the crew team, this is a shameless plug for rowing, but The Dartmouth gave me my own column, and I'm going to use it. The Connecticut River is the best body of water to row on in America. Boats can go north for miles without having to turn around, and there is a natural 2,000 meter course about three miles from campus. This spring, Dartmouth crews (heavyweights, lightweights and women) will race other teams from the Ivy League on the iconic Connecticut River. The race course is relatively easy to get to by land (drive to the Chieftain Inn, look for signs), and is set up so the spectators can see the finish line quite well. Come cheer on the teams and then meet back at the boathouse for free food. Crew is the College's oldest sport, and the Connecticut River is a great venue for fans.
4.Heckle at a baseball game.
The new and improved baseball field looks to be a great place to watch a game this spring -- and to yell at opposing teams. Last year, several Chi Gams seemed to make an art form out of heckling at these games. Baseball is the perfect sport to get in opponents' heads, and the field's seats put the you close enough to the action so that you know that the other players can hear you. There is something liberating about yelling out at a baseball game. The best part might be that it is completely within the realm of what is considered acceptable behavior. This spring, show up to the baseball games ready to take the other team out of its element.
5.Play intramural sports.
Dartmouth is a great place to play intramural sports, and this is especially true for sports fans. Students can watch all of the sports they want, but when it comes down to it, there is no substitute for the real thing. There is perhaps nothing more fun than getting overly serious about IM games. As my rowing coach knows well, our team takes IM basketball games (perhaps too) seriously. It really is too bad that pulling on an oar doesn't foster stellar hand-eye coordination. Dartmouth IM sports gives students the unique opportunity, in many cases, to play in the athletic facilities that the varsity teams use. A few years ago, all of the IM basketball games were played in Leede Arena, and all of the IM hockey games are still in Thompson. Most schools have separate facilities for varsity and non-varsity athletes. Dartmouth is different, which is part of the reason playing on an IM sports team is a must for all Dartmouth fans.
There are countless other things I could add to this list, but these five represent some of the lesser know nooks and crannies of Dartmouth athletics For some of us, graduation day is coming all too soon, so get out there and participate in some of these activities.
