Kevin Lesage's Articles: Commentary

COMMENTARY

With Champlain being a small school, divisional sports aren’t an option. To keep kids busy and involved Ryan Kimbal has set up countless activities, one including Intramurals. Personally I think it’s not enough. This school needs sports team to support.

It’s tough during this time of the year because Champlain students watch TV and see other schools with millions invested in sport programs, such as Uconn, Notre Dame, Penn State, ECT. Sport teams unite campuses and give them something to celebrate. But Champlain will play their intramurals and continue their lame games of pickup basketball, volleyball, soccer with no real enthusiasm.

Despite Champlain’s efforts to increase athletics I do not for see a bright future. Champlain is the way it is because of tradition. It’s always been like this. A handful of athletic students aren’t enough for any divisional program. “The Intramurals are what hold us over, it just pulls us down watching friends play divisional sports on TV” said Lucas, student at Champlain. You knew the circumstances when you applied, so don’t complain about it, do something to fix it.

To change this, Ryan has implemented a unique strategy. The problem is student’s participation and enthusiasm, and the lack of support for their classmates. The solution was to set up a trophy show case where the champions from each sport get their pictures taken and are put next to a trophy in a showcase. “This will stimulate the students seeing friends in a show case. They’ll think I want my picture in there, and sign up next year. It’s a small step, but one in the right direction” said Kimbal. Hopefully years down the road friends will go and cheer the basketball or soccer team on. “There is a lack of heart. It’s noticeable at each sporting event”, said Kimbal.

Divisional sports are out of the question. It’s how we utilize our intramurals to the best of our ability. “We need support. The more people involved the better” Said Kimbal. This year being his first on the job noticeable improvements have been made. Activities include flag football, tennis, dodgeball, soccer, and volleyball. The problem is the crazy hours. Most intramural sports are later at night, after classes end. For example, flag football is from 8:30-10:30, basketball 8:30- 11:00. That’s a little late, but there isn’t anything we can do with only having one gym. With the winter here, transportation also becomes a serious issue, decreasing participation.

The other issue is that we host conferences in the gym, completely cutting off kids who want to play sports. The school needs to fix this problem. “Nothing pisses me off more when I walk into school, holding my basketball shoes, and see that the gym is being used a conference room” said Dave Armenti, Junior at Champlain. There is nowhere else to go play. Champlain only has one gym. Leave it for the students.

Divisional sports may be out of the question now but who knows what will be in ten years. Right now we’re moving in the right direction, we just need support. Champlain’s athletics are swimming to keep their head above water, let’s throw them a life jacket and together, pull them to safety.