Occupy: Georgia Dome

            During an up and down sea- son, I expected better inside the Georgia Dome. Instead we've witnessed a constant barrage of let- downs from the Georgia State Panthers football team—and from the students.

Instead. Two weeks ago, as I sat on a packed shuttle from Turner Field, one energetic driver asked if anyone was going to the next home game. One guy replied that he was a Florida fan, an- other rolled his eyes and said he would be there in spirit. I take it that he misunderstood the meaning of school spirit. Not one per- son spoke up during the awkward silence. It sounded like the Last year, we patted ourselves on the back for drawing 30,000 to our inaugural game, however, on Sept. 3, the University of Texas at San Antonio attracted 57,000 fans to its inaugural game. It was 8,000 more than South Florida's inaugural attendance record of 49,000 in 1998.

            On the night of the Panthers' inaugural football game, 11,000 students showed up. However, there were moments during the last home game against St. Francis when it seemed cheerleaders and band members outnumbered student section during a typical home game. dents. In the fourth quarter, teams often rely on the energy of the home crowd. Its no coincidence that the Panthers have been outscored 45- 13 in the fourth quarter at home and the only two wins have come during the most highly attended games. Despite a spike in student attendance at homecoming, it was unbelievable to watch students walking up out of the Dome during South Alabama's game-tying, fourth quarter drive.

          For a decade, Georgia State students clamored for a football team. However, instead of embracing what students before us could only dream of, you've abandoned the team on Saturday's. The athletic department even moved kick- off times from noon to later in the afternoon. In the midst of a disappointing 2-7 campaign, at least Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern and UGA fans would have the courtesy to show up and boo.

          It's not just the fans, it's the in- tensity that's missing as well. The few students that do show up for games look like they're waiting in line at the DMV. There is hardly any cheering for the defense or in between plays on offense.

Only two segments of the stadium make any audible noises during home games. There are the alumni who have set aside a few hours to watch their alma mater and the traveling fans of the road teams, who've driven hundreds of miles.

         It's not just football. In response to men's basketball's de- pressing attendance, Athletic Di- rector Cheryl Levick hired Ron Hunter, one of the most energetic coaches in college basketball, to bring excitement and hopefully fans to GSU's Sports Arena. Alas, most Georgia State fans are so apathetic most of you still haven't realized they hired a new head basketball coach.

         For football's regular season finale, perhaps Occupy Atlanta protestors should get free tickets in- stead of Georgia State students. At least, they've shown more commitment to sleeping in frozen tents for an ambiguous cause than Georgia State students do to cheering inside the Dome. Plus, the team will surely appreciate the drums and chants from the silent student section. Georgia State football will be around for the long haul, but it remains to be seen when the students will join them.