VOL. XV, NO. 10
MARCH 22, 1974
Bench Beat
By BROCK AKERS
We are a lost generation of high school students. We have no common cause, no common interests. We are a group so diverse in its nature that outside of Teacher Institute days there exists nothing that everyone can get excited about.
This fact is ever present in the grandstand of most all high school athletic contests. It has been a long time since Maine West has produced a team that the student population really got excited over. Not that there haven't been winners, just that the cheering section has lost most of its familiar faces.
The faces were far and few between a couple of weeks ago when the Warrior basketball team played it final game to a loss in the regionals to Notre Dame. The fans on each side of the court were distinguished not only in whom they were rooting for, but in their enthusiasm and numbers. The Notre Dame fans never sat down, yelled and screamed and cheered their team on even when they were down. The Dons in Niles were impressive both on and off the court.
We are a lost generation of high school students. We have no common cause, no common interests. We are a group so diverse in its nature that outside of Teacher Institute days there exists nothing that everyone can get excited about.
This fact is ever present in the grandstand of most all high school athletic contests. It has been a long time since Maine West has produced a team that the student population really got excited over. Not that there haven't been winners, just that the cheering section has lost most of its familiar faces.
The faces were far and few between a couple of weeks ago when the Warrior basketball team played it final game to a loss in the regionals to Notre Dame. The fans on each side of the court were distinguished not only in whom they were rooting for, but in their enthusiasm and numbers. The Notre Dame fans never sat down, yelled and screamed and cheered their team on even when they were down. The Dons in Niles were impressive both on and off the court.
At the biggest game of the year, where were the throngs of Warrior fans when the team needed them the most? How many "fans" knew the final score of the game? How many "fans" knew that Glen Dalbke, coming off the bench, almost spurred his team to victory? How many "fans" even knew who their team was playing that night?
Apathy is not unique to Maine West, but rather to the whole of high school students across the nation. The reasons are probably as complex as the Maine North floor plan. This has not always been the case; ask your parents. Even though they may have little sense in determining your curfew, they knew how to support the old Alma Mater.
Whether or not it is healthy to have a unified student body or a factionalized one remains to be seen. But maybe with the nostalgia craze (streaking, the Gatsby look, and American Graffiti) the collective attitude of students will change.
Then, friends, the sports results won't have to be reported on the P.A.; everyone will know them.
Apathy is not unique to Maine West, but rather to the whole of high school students across the nation. The reasons are probably as complex as the Maine North floor plan. This has not always been the case; ask your parents. Even though they may have little sense in determining your curfew, they knew how to support the old Alma Mater.
Whether or not it is healthy to have a unified student body or a factionalized one remains to be seen. But maybe with the nostalgia craze (streaking, the Gatsby look, and American Graffiti) the collective attitude of students will change.
Then, friends, the sports results won't have to be reported on the P.A.; everyone will know them.