Sports Buzz

It's my firm belief that every college across the country is known, characterized, and ranked under three unique categories.  This trinity of characterization begins to answer the almighty question that every fresh, just off the high school  graduation assembly line,  asks: What "kind" of school is it?

The answer will almost always be found in  the school's outstanding academics, athletics or extracurricular student activities. That's it. Every college bound student has to traverse through the soul searching checklist of what they want out of college: Do I want to receive a great education that will shape my future in the working world? Do I want to be a part of or play for a school that's enriched with athletic success and tradition? Or do I want to exercise my freedom and rebellious attitude  and have fun?

Below the surface of those three somewhat superficial principles exists  the fine print obligations of tuition cost, distance from home, etc.  However, what raises interest and keeps the heart beat of any particular university alive is the order to which each school's trinity resides.

I believe it's the goal of every collegiate institution in the nation  to inflate and expand the innate value of all three categories. The higher the college ranks in these areas, the more likely students will choose to attend. The school's academics, athletics and extracurricular activities are undoubtedly influenced by the institution's access to money, power and respect. If I were asked to rate UCCS based upon my three principle formula it would go as follows: Academics, student life and then athletics. Sports take the bronze medal in my trinity because the student body and the sports teams are disconnected. With a campus that is undergoing so much growth and change, the fact remains that school spirit, conformity and unity with our athletics is still somewhat  stagnant.

I have the privilege and honor of continuing to cover Mountain Lion Athletics for the upcoming year and I believe we need to showcase UCCS's incredible student athletes.  For example, there were numerous  awards issued last year to UCCS athletes for their hard work, perseverance and accomplishments, both on and off the field.

With that being said, I challenge the students of UCCS to  support your Mountain Lion student athletes.  Day after day, week after week, these athletes represent our school and remind us why we sit atop Austin Bluffs: Because we reach higher than anyone else.

Mountain Lion Athletics commence play the first week of September with  the men's soccer team aquiring the first home match of the year scheduled for Sept. 1 against Colorado College at 7 p.m. The lady Mountain Lions will compete Sept. 2 against Abilene Christian at 5 p.m. Both games will be held at Mountain Lion Field.

It's time for students to get out and be loud and proud of UCCS.