By Patrick McHugh
When the football team played their first home game of the season Saturday, the university made every effort to welcome freshmen into the Husky athletics family. While a lot of effort was put into getting the freshmen to the game, the combination of harsh weather and a lopsided score may keep freshmen from returning to Parsons Field.
Billed as Campus Community Day, free Die Hard Dog T-shirts were given out and a pre-game rally was held to introduce the incoming class to Husky football.
Mark Harris, assistant director of the Husky Athletics Club, said he had high hopes for the game.
“Our hope was that freshmen would have a positive experience at their first game. We designated sections of the seating to bring them close to the action,” Harris said. “The idea was to get freshmen excited and introduce them to Husky athletics. … If students enjoyed their time, that would encourage them to come back for future games.”
It was supposed to be a day freshmen could enjoy, but it did not take long for the crowd to thin.
The Richmond Spiders marched onto Parsons Field and stormed to a 21-0 lead in the second quarter en route to a 49-14 drubbing of the Huskies.
“I was kind of surprised the way the game turned out,” said freshman physical therapy major Shane McCarthy. “I knew they had lost last week but it was against a stronger opponent and was on the road. I wasn’t sure if the team would win, but I didn’t think they would lose as bad as they did.”
Temperatures reached the mid-90’s as vendors accomodated a constant line of fans searching for water to cool down. The conditions took their toll as the crowd, which was 4,167 at kickoff, quickly left the game, many before halftime.
“Fan involvement wasn’t that great,” said freshman biology major Zak Kapotes, “The heat was intense and the early deficit made things worse. Some [fans] tried to make the best of it. Hopefully next time the team will play better.”
In anticipation for the game, the Northeastern Student Government Association sponsored a rally in the Stetson East quad. The event, as part of Welcome Week.
While reaction to the rally and design of the T-Shirts was mixed, many agreed the play of the team was what was most disappointing.
“I wish there were more football fans at Northeastern,” said freshman journalism major Christine Slater. “[The game] was disappointing. … My friend fell asleep.”
Northeastern’s next home game is against Northwestern State Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Parsons Field.
The question now is if freshmen will be willing to board the bus and give the team another chance. Although no freshmen activities are planned, there will be a tailgate put on by Kappa Sigma fraternity with activities including a dunktank at 11 a.m.
