This letter is in response to Stacy McGinnis’ article, “Sparty
spouts: Duckett too much.”
Now, I understand all of us have our favorite college teams, favorites we’ve
always had, and most of the time they happen to be Michigan State and Michigan.
But, what’s so upsetting is that you’re writing in CENTRAL MICHIGAN
UNIVERSITY’S newspaper, a paper that shouldn’t be singing the praises
of other schools, especially those previously mentioned in-state rivals.
With that in mind…
In case you had not noticed, Ms. McGinnis, our campus is in the midst of rebuilding
its tradition of excellence, particularly in the athletics department. Specifically,
softball, wrestling and gymnastics are consistently performing with this excellence,
while every other university sport flirts with it annually.
Granted, football and basketball have suffered through futility, but coaches
like Mike DeBord and Jay Smith (with their staffs) have worked diligently and
passionately to rebuild them and restore the immense pride that surrounds their
teams! While your article sings the praises of MSU, it was (probably) insulting
the likes of Tom Borelli, Margo Jonker, Jerry Reighard, Herb Deromedi, Marcy
Weston and dozens of others who have made immeasurable sacrifices to making
this university and their teams as proud as they are!
And not just the coaches are insulted: all the fans who come hours early to
sit with the Rose Rowdies, the Chip Crew and in Chippewa Island as well as the
(too) few but proud fans that sit, with pride, at CMU volleyball, baseball,
soccer and women’s basketball games are, too!
Then you have our peers – our student athletes – that have worked
harder and sacrificed more than anyone could imagine. THEY are the vehicles
of honor and pride in our university’s athletic department, the excellence
that is beginning to show again. WE need to support them, not write articles
(or wear clothing) that sings the praises of their rivals…OUR rivals.
So the bottom line is this. To Ms. McGinnis and all of CMU’s students who
“proudly” wear their favorites on their sleeves: I encourage you to
leave all of these lifelong, childhood favorites back home, like many of your
peers have, and come to Central…with PRIDE!
Recognize this: something special is happening on our campus. There has been
a rebirth of Central spirit! From Michael Rao to Mike DeBord to the guys in
the back row of Rose Arena and Theunissen Field, people are getting EXCITED!
We are becoming not just a beacon of academic excellence and student leadership,
but one of athletic excellence.
Don’t be just a student and come for the diploma, fun or whatever, but
also for being a part of this rebirth of school enthusiasm! Why jump on the
bandwagon (only when we win) when you can drive it? It is time to be a part
of OUR university, and take PRIDE in it!
Jake Little is an Edwardsburg junior.

E-mail the author: Jake LittleGuest Column