The last time Northeastern Illinois University had a sports program was in 1997. At the end of spring term of that year, NEIU had to say farewell to any kind of school spirit and pride. With the lack of both dorms and sports, we are basically a strictly academic school.
Even Wright College, a city college, has a basketball team. We don’t attend a party school, a highly elite school, or a private school. Yes, we have a few intramurals, but is that enough? Wouldn’t it be better to have the NCAA Division I Athletic teams back?
I’m sure most of the faculty and administration attended schools with sports teams and loads of school spirit. They may look back at college and smile while reminiscing on how exciting college was.
Why take that away from us? A little pride and spirit here and there won’t be detrimental to our health. It won’t hurt us. And it definitely won’t hurt the faculty and administration. The poor Golden Eagle mascot uniform is seriously collecting dust in the president of the SGA’s office! Maybe students will understand why a campus activities and recreation fee is being charged if sports were added. “Taxation without representation,” says SGA President Eron McCormick, “That is what is essentially happening. We’re paying a campus recreation fee. Few people are actually using the facilities in the P.E. Complex. The campus recreation fee is not being used.”
Salme Steinberg, the outgoing president of NEIU, said that students did not want to pay the extra recreation fee and that’s the real reason why the teams are gone. It sounds like a good excuse, but sports attract funds.
NEIU sports teams can try raising money. The baseball club raised money for their team uniforms.
NEIU student Hector Hizo commented, “I would like for sports to come back. It’s fun to have some competition with other schools. It raises our school spirit.”
Sophomore Almae Ma said she would love for sports to come back and that it would be really fun to support NEIU teams. “In fact, I have a feeling that I paid activities fees for nothing,” she added.
McCormick believes sports would increase a sense of pride and community at NEIU. Bottom line: students want sports teams. They want to feel that sense of school pride and spirit. There’s no excitement.
It is hoped that the new university president will understand that we need sports teams. McCormick said that the SGA plans talk to the new president, Dr. Hahs, on the matter. There are no promises that NEIU will have sports again, but the SGA is sure to be bringing up this point.