Friday's Verbum Ultimum argued that Dartmouth athletics are finally on the upswing again. Are the recent changes enough to rejuvenate sports, and does it matter in the long run?
Whether or not the newfound excitement about Dartmouth sports is here to stay depends on whether our teams can maintain their winning streaks especially against more challenging opponents. Sure, the football team's current 2-0 record is nice, but Sacred Heart is no Havard or Yale. If they still haven't lost a game come November, our football team's good fortunes may indeed help spark a new era for all of Dartmouth sports.Ethan Wang '13
New Athletic Director Harry Sheehy has brought with him a tangible optimism that's been bolstered by some exciting wins, and while it's hard to tell if Dartmouth will return to its days as an athletic power-house, more important for me is that students are going to games and enjoying them.Josh Kornberg '13
If you measure rejuvenation by attendance and school spirit, then the teams' recent victories are a success. If you're looking for something more concrete, such as more money from nostalgic alums, this upswing might take a few more years.Spenser Mestel '11
It's great that the sports teams are doing better, but it's too early to tell whether this trend will continue. The existence of athletics at Dartmouth, which is in part predicated on their success, is of vital importance to the education of the total person, mind and body.Peter Blair '12
I'm glad our athletes feel like they're beginning to get more support from the rest of the student body. Missing in this conversation, however, is an issue much more vital to the future of our College: the extreme poverty of enthusiasm for academic pursuits at Dartmouth. Ostensibly, we came here to learn; judging by the rampant anti-intellectualism on campus, sports aren't the only thing that needs rejuvenating.Jordan Osserman '11
Endorsing tailgating policies is definitely a step in the right direction to boost school spirit and increase support for athletics. While having strong teams and packed bleachers will certainly help Dartmouth's reputation, there is a more important consequence of strengthening our athletic programs: uniting our campus community through inclusive social events outside of the fraternity scene.Natalie Colaneri '12
Projecting an image of physical ferocity can make quite an impression. So, I guess, in some way, our athletic revitalization might increase the wider community's perception of Dartmouth as a center of strength intellectual as well as physical and not just as a country club for rich kids to go skiing and then cause the collapse of the world economy.Sam Buntz '11
Consistent success by sports teams is the only way to motivate students to attend Dartmouth sporting events. As the first step toward that, Parkhurst must work with the new athletic director to assess where our program falls short when compared to our peer institutions and find solutions.Suril Kantaria '13
While student support for athletics is helpful, it is but a peripheral issue. Success begets support, not the other way around. So what begets success? Great coaching and recruiting. That's where the administration must focus its efforts if it will ever improve Dartmouth athletics.Matthew Stumpf '12
Sitting in the stands at Saturday's football game, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride in Dartmouth students' ability to support their classmates. Their enthusiasm, however, cannot wane in the event of a lose. Students must continue our support even if 2-0 becomes 2-1, or 2-2.Kevin Niparko '12
