Our View: Despite the Colonial Army's loss of ticket benefits, the group can still maintain a strong presence on the GW sports scene.
Colonial Army, the spirit group that dominated the attendance of men's basketball games last season, will no longer have access to tickets before the rest of the student said Director of Athletics Jack Kvancz. In addition, students might have to pick up tickets in advance of basketball games to gain early entry. Abolishing the Colonial Army's privileges is a wise step in equalizing ticket access for students. With other proposals, however, the University should continue to tweak the program while keeping spirit in mind. Since 2003, the Colonial Army allowed students to pay $15 to join the group, which allowed them access to tickets before other potential attendees. Allowing Colonial Army members to access tickets before others effectively hampered the ability of non-group members to see games. It may have even discouraged some students from trying to attend games.
Although Colonial Army will likely no longer have priority access to space in the Smith Center for men's games, that does not mean the group has lost its purpose. The organization did wonders for the team over the past three years, increasing pride in the basketball program at a school without a strong culture of spirit for its team. The Colonial Army also ensured a GW presence at away games, helping to increase the visibility and prestige of the University and its sports program.
The spirit group will be able to continue its role in building a culture of pride for the basketball team in the future. Though the club may experience a slight reduction in membership because of the likely new policy, it will still be able to attend games en masse by showing up early or camping out for tickets. Furthermore, it can continue to travel to away games to represent GW. Freed of the burden of operating a ticket program, the Colonial Army may actually be able to expand its role, holding more spirit-oriented events on campus.
Colonial Army, the spirit group that dominated the attendance of men's basketball games last season, will no longer have access to tickets before the rest of the student said Director of Athletics Jack Kvancz. In addition, students might have to pick up tickets in advance of basketball games to gain early entry. Abolishing the Colonial Army's privileges is a wise step in equalizing ticket access for students. With other proposals, however, the University should continue to tweak the program while keeping spirit in mind. Since 2003, the Colonial Army allowed students to pay $15 to join the group, which allowed them access to tickets before other potential attendees. Allowing Colonial Army members to access tickets before others effectively hampered the ability of non-group members to see games. It may have even discouraged some students from trying to attend games.
Although Colonial Army will likely no longer have priority access to space in the Smith Center for men's games, that does not mean the group has lost its purpose. The organization did wonders for the team over the past three years, increasing pride in the basketball program at a school without a strong culture of spirit for its team. The Colonial Army also ensured a GW presence at away games, helping to increase the visibility and prestige of the University and its sports program.
The spirit group will be able to continue its role in building a culture of pride for the basketball team in the future. Though the club may experience a slight reduction in membership because of the likely new policy, it will still be able to attend games en masse by showing up early or camping out for tickets. Furthermore, it can continue to travel to away games to represent GW. Freed of the burden of operating a ticket program, the Colonial Army may actually be able to expand its role, holding more spirit-oriented events on campus.
