PUC Chronicle

Issue date: 1/16/07 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Jeff Styles

PUC has a huge opportunity in the wake of the men's basketball scandal. When all the smoke clears, this may turn out to be the defining moment in PUC history, be it positive or negative.
Students leave high school looking for that "college experience." Most students here say they didn't find it at PUC. They complain about the lack of "things to do" and absence of Greeks and dorms.
They also complain about athletics. We at The Chronicle have written several editorials about the lack of funding in athletics.
Student attendance at basketball games is poor at best completely missing at worst. Sales of PUC merchandise at the bookstore pale in comparison to sales of Purdue merchandise, according to bookstore Manager Becky Birch.
But would more money put you in the seats? Would you learn the fight song and come to the pep rallies?
Probably not, right?
We are the Peregrines, but what does that mean? Right now, it means almost nothing.
Students, on the whole, aren't proud to be Peregrines. But that sense of pride is what creates the college experience. The buildings and dorms and better athletics and even better academics can all stem from that sense of pride.
The athletic department has made big strides in the last few years with the changing of the mascot, updating the program and establishing a solid marketing scheme. But it's all for naught if you're not responding. If you don't learn the fight song or come to the games or cheer for the mascots, it means nothing.
The tragedy of the 2006-2007 men's basketball team is chance to completely rebuild not just a basketball team but an athletic program and an entire school by instilling that sense of pride in the student body.
The missing piece of the college experience puzzle is not a football team or more on-campus housing or more "things to do," it's you and your participation.
So, let's take this chance to make PUC everything we wished it was. If you're not willing to help, that's fine. But stay out of the way and stop complaining because your choices directly affect those around you, even basketball players. Let's give the administration a reason to put more money into athletics and improving student life. Let's show them we care.
Bob Dylan may have said it best; "Your old road is rapidly aging. Please get out of the new one if you can't lend your hand, for the times they are a-changin'."
The Chronicle, in conjunction with some alumni, is calling for a pep rally to be held soon to build some PUC pride. Not for a game, but for a purpose. We'll sing the fight song and talk about starting anew. Come to the pep rally and help make it mean something to say, "WE ARE THE PEREGINES."

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