Opinion
Ready for the return of fall
September 28, 2006
After playing on the road for the first three games of the season, the UW-River Falls football team is at home on Saturday.
I would imagine after three weeks of being the visiting team that the Falcons are looking forward to returning to Ramer Field.
I know after following the Falcons early this season I am looking forward to actually seeing them in action.
It’s ironic the first home game is a week after fall officially began. I believe that football and fall just always have to go hand in hand. I went to a couple football games over the summer and they just didn’t have the same feel.
Football truly is made for fall and winter. Sitting outside while it’s 90 degrees and watching touchdowns and tackles isn’t the same as snowy Friday or Saturdays where you make the trek back from Ramer and need hot chocolate and time to thaw out.
But I’m looking forward to seeing Falcon football this Saturday for another few reasons.
First of all, this game is a night game set for 7 p.m. with conference foe UW-Oshkosh. This game is believed to be the first night game at Ramer Field since the 1970s.
While I was in high school, night games were always my favorite to attend, watching your favorite team play under the lights was always an awesome experience.
I believe that while the atmosphere is going to be there anyway, having the first home game be under the lights at Ramer, the atmosphere is going to increase. From my experience, people get more interested in night games and hopefully this year that will help the Falcon squad.
In my three years at River Falls, I’ve been to a number of football games. I’ve gone to many as a fan and a member of the Pep Band and also have been to a number working for the Student Voice. I’ve had a ton of fun either way, but unfortunately I can’t say the same about a number of people I know.
Truthfully, I think I’ve been to more football than ten of my friends combined. I hope that the new season and the new idea of a night game will get more fans out to support our team. Crowd support is crucial in any sport, in fact some say it’s like having an extra player out on the field.
I’m also looking forward to seeing the Falcons play this weekend in their first conference game of the year. After three non-conference games it will be exciting to see how River Falls can do against conference tams.
This fall, there are not many opportunities to come out and see the Falcons in action. In the regular season the Falcons are scheduled to play only four home games. After this weekend they won’t play at home again until October 14 against UW-Stevens Point.
I’m looking forward to seeing what the Falcons can do this year and continue to report on it. It would be great to see River Falls football finish with the best record in recent years. I’ll keep you all posted.
Sarah Packingham is a former member of the Student Voice staff.