VOL. XVII, NO. 8
FEBRUARY 6, 1976
My Turn
Why Do MW Fans Attend Athletic Contests?
Why Do MW Fans Attend Athletic Contests?
By THOM O'DONNELL
In the last issue of the Westerner I wrote an article about the Pep Band, implying that Maine West fans come to sports contests not to see the teams, but to hear the band. Perhaps I was wrong in assuming this, but not as wrong as some may have thought.
When someone says or writes something bearing absolutely no truth, little attention is paid. With this article I must have pinched some nerve of truth. Otherwise, neither the Pep Band nor the athletes would have thought twice about it.
All the Maine West sports teams practice for hours and hours to reach their own degree of perfection. So also does the band. The crowd attending the games, however, appreciates neither. People seemingly come to the games simply to get out of the house, or because there's nothing else to do, or to see their girlfriend or boyfriend. A few actually come to see the game.
In the last issue of the Westerner I wrote an article about the Pep Band, implying that Maine West fans come to sports contests not to see the teams, but to hear the band. Perhaps I was wrong in assuming this, but not as wrong as some may have thought.
When someone says or writes something bearing absolutely no truth, little attention is paid. With this article I must have pinched some nerve of truth. Otherwise, neither the Pep Band nor the athletes would have thought twice about it.
All the Maine West sports teams practice for hours and hours to reach their own degree of perfection. So also does the band. The crowd attending the games, however, appreciates neither. People seemingly come to the games simply to get out of the house, or because there's nothing else to do, or to see their girlfriend or boyfriend. A few actually come to see the game.
If my article had no truth whatsoever, I would have no need to write this one, but both the Pep Band and the athletes are now defending their positions. They must now have some doubts as to why fans are coming to the games.
Both the band and the athletes do the best they can and are proud of what they do, and I respect them for this; for I too am proud of the writing I do, Causing controversy at Maine West is not my purpose in writing, but apparently I have exposed enough hidden truths to cause both sides to think about what they're doing and why they're doing it.
This is a purpose of journalism.
Both the band and the athletes do the best they can and are proud of what they do, and I respect them for this; for I too am proud of the writing I do, Causing controversy at Maine West is not my purpose in writing, but apparently I have exposed enough hidden truths to cause both sides to think about what they're doing and why they're doing it.
This is a purpose of journalism.