If you have attended a Union University sporting event this school year, you have probably noticed the increased number of athletes from other teams in attendance in support of their fellow athletes.
This caught my attention while attending a men’s soccer game recently. I noticed student-athletes checking in with the Athletic Department staff as they arrived. Later that night, I saw that the Student Athletic-Advisory Committee (SAAC) posted a leaderboard for all the sports teams on Union’s campus.
To satisfy my curiosity, I asked senior business management major, softball player and SAAC President, Kristen Pickens, about the new point system.
Pickens described the point system as SAAC’s way to increase attendance and support at home sporting events, while also encouraging student-athletes to support each other.
“We believe that it starts with the athletes,” said Pickens. “If the student body can see the athletes having fun at the game and supporting, then hopefully we can gain a larger crowd.”
At each home game, teams are scored based on the percentage of the team that shows up. So if 75% of a team shows up to a game, that team will receive 75 points. SAAC and the Athletic Department will continue recording attendance and tracking points until April 28, 2020. The points will be tallied, and the winning team will be announced at the annual athletic banquet, the Top Dawg Awards. The winning team will receive an award at the banquet and will be taken to dinner by athletic director Tommy Sadler.
“We always say we want to celebrate what we want to see more of, and this is definitely something we would love to see more of,” said Pickens.
Pickens also said that the culture among the athletic teams has been uplifted by this new system due to the time spent together at sporting events.
Junior public relations major and golf team member Delaney Sain believes the point system gives athletes a fun, friendly competition that also encourages the rest of campus to come enjoy sporting events.
“All athletes love a good competition,” said Sain. “I think the points system is a great way to get our athletes to support and encourage each other on campus. It has and will continue to grow our athletic community on campus.”
Pickens said the hope of the Athletic Department and SAAC is that the system would promote unity among the athletic teams and the student body as a whole.
“The athletic teams absolutely love and appreciate the support students provide by coming to the games,” said Pickens.
Union SAAC’s social media sites have all the 2019-2020 athletic updates, such as game dates and times, new themes for games, and updates on the competition.
“This Bulldog family is really something special, and 2019-2020 is going to be such a great year,” said Pickens.