By Staff
In traveling around southwest Michigan it is our pleasure to visit communities for sporting events.
We have noticed, however, a disturbing trend – lack of fan support.
It is easy to understand if a high school team is having an off year that fans may not flock to the football field, baseball diamond, soccer field, tennis or basketball courts.
What we cannot understand is how good teams fail to draw fans.
Last fall Dowagiac traveled to Three Rivers to take on the ranked Wildcats in the opening round of the high school football playoffs.
Granted it was a lousy night to watch sports – cold and rainy – but that does not excuse Three Rivers fans from being outnumbered by Dowagiac's.
On the positive side, Buchanan's wrestling team drew very well when it came to Dowagiac for the wrestling district tournament. Bucks fans gave the Chieftain faithful a run for their money.
This year, the Berrien Springs boys' basketball team had another outstanding season.
The Shamrocks, who reached the state semifinals the previous March, posted a 17-3 regular season record.
With the exception of its games with Lakeland Conference champion Bridgman, the Shamrocks did not draw well, which included Monday night's district playoff game.
There is no better value when it comes to entertainment than high school athletics.
The raw emotion of the game itself is worth the $5 admission.
Add the color of the spectators and the sound of the pep band and you get plenty of bang for your buck.
It is a shame that communities do not get behind their teams as much as they used to.
The athletes work extremely hard to be the best they can be and to represent their communities with pride.
Shouldn't we show our support for them?
The winter sports season is quickly wrapping up. But that doesn't mean you cannot get out there and grab a game.
The state basketball tournament is holding its district championship games this weekend and will move into regional action next week.
Spring sports practices begin next week with competition scheduled to begin the last week of March.
Get out and support your local sports teams. You won't regret it.