Competing for attention - Final Draft

The Nebraska Baseball season is in full swing, but unfortunately the lack of swinging bats has caused a drop in public interest as well. This change is a complete contrast to the enthusiasm that the people of Nebraska had for the potential of the team a few years ago. This drop in support has been seen in a number of sports over the years, and is characteristic of the way most Nebraskans view all sports other than football.

I started following Nebraska Baseball in 2005, just as they were beginning to be noticed on the national stage. They went to the College World Series that year but were unable to advance far in the tournament. The following two years were successful for the Huskers. They made it to regional play both seasons, and the public responded to this success by creating a buzz about the sport and packing Haymarket Park for nearly every home game.

2008 and 2009 proved to be very difficult for the Huskers, and they failed to qualify for regional play last season. This was disappointing as a Husker fan, but a period of success is usually followed by a few years of rebuilding. The talent of the players has not been on the same level as it was a few years ago, which has led to fewer wins.

No one likes to lose, but sometimes there just isn’t a lot you can do to stop it. Over the past few years I have watched as the hardworking players have given their all only to lose game after game. This hard work should be applauded, but the opposite is happening. Most fans have either turned their back on the sport, or are calling for Coach Mike Anderson to resign.

It is unfortunate that so many fans are willing to stop going to games and supporting the team just because they aren’t winning the majority of their games like they have in past seasons. It makes you wonder what made Nebraska Football stay so popular even when they had several lackluster seasons under Bill Callahan.

I think the main factor in the prominence of Nebraska Football is its long winning tradition. The other sports are left to compete for the small amount of enthusiasm left over from the football season. Right now the sport of choice seems to be Women’s Basketball, but this was not the case in the past. Volleyball has also been a fan favorite over the past few years. This can change at the drop of a hat, or at the drop of a winning season. Nebraskans don’t like to lose, but they are much more patient with the football team than with other sports. I am also guilty of this double standard.

While many were extremely upset with the direction the football team was heading under Callahan, they stuck with the team due to their attachment to the sport. This attachment hasn’t occurred with other sports, because there has never been enough attention focused on them. This needs to change. We need to show all athletes that what they are doing is just as important as the quarterback of the football team.

I understand how disappointing it is to go to a game and watch the team you are cheering for lose, but does that mean you should stop cheering? It seems to me that the team needs to know that the public supports them in a rough time like this more than ever. That’s why I will be listening or watching every game that the Huskers play this season. When Nebraska wins the College World Series I want to be able to say that I was a fan before they were great.