I would like to congratulate and thank the outstanding number of almost 1,000 students who attended the first home football game of the season Saturday afternoon at Parsons Field. The amazing student fan community provided the appreciative Huskies with great vocal support.

Thanks to Alumni Relations, Student Affairs and the Student Government Association, an awesome sea of black DieHard Dogs T-shirts could be seen filling the seats of Parsons Field. Unfortunately, our home team did not win, but I urge you not to give up support. The season is young and this bunch of Huskies is a strong team that will be a power in the conference for the rest of the year.

This year, I am calling on my fellow students to continue to make our fan community even larger, louder and more loyal than ever. Visit GONU.com to check the athletic schedules and get ready to go out and support all of the tremendous Northeastern student-athletes. Go out there and create a loud, supportive and hostile environment for opposing teams visiting Huntington Avenue.

Tickets to all athletic events are free as part of your student activities fee, so why not take advantage of tickets to exciting and competitive athletic competition?

I promise that if you go out and continue to support Northeastern all year, you will be part of a thrilling year in Northeastern Athletics. On Saturday, this year’s official DieHard Dogs T-shirt was unveiled (more will be available throughout the year). Once you receive yours, wear it proudly with your Husky classmates to all Northeastern athletic events – home and away – so people know who we are. Whether it is at Parsons Field, Cabot Court, Matthews Arena, Friedman Diamond, Henderson Boathouse, Barletta Natatorium, Sweeney Field, Solomon Track, TD Bank North or even Fenway Park, wear your DieHard Dog shirt, be loud, be proud and support the Huskies!

– Christopher Marshall is a senior athletic training major 2006 Mayor of Huntington Avenue and is a co-op in the athletic department.