For many years, Kennesaw State University has been called “just a commuter school.” Only a few decades ago, we were merely a junior college in a small town on the outskirts of Atlanta. Some have doubted if KSU could truly become a proud and spirited school, but our recent football games have suggested otherwise.
KSU has quickly grown since it was founded in 1963, and even since the Board of Regents approved KSU as a state college in 1988. However, it is evident that these past few years have included critical moments for KSU’s history: the construction of the new recreational center, the consolidation with Southern Polytechnic University, the auditions for KSU’s first marching band and the creation of KSU’s first football team.
The Fifth-Third Bank Stadium has usually been empty during most days, but on Sept. 12, thousands of students showed support for their new football team. I haven’t seen such school spirit and harmonious student support on campus before football began. We have come a long way as a community and a university.
“This game has showed us one thing we didn’t see earlier in the year, and that is the tremendous student support.” Art Eckman, Special Assistant KSU Athletics Director, said when he was covering the game against Edward Waters College on ksuowls.com Sept. 12.
Tremendous support is exactly what I would expect from the KSU student body. We are a wonderfully diverse group, but we are all united.
Later on in the radio announcement on ksuowls.com, Eckman mentioned how great KSU’s marching band sounded. Let’s not forget that Sept. 12 was their first home game too! He added that KSU’s music school doesn’t get the publicity it deserves.
Moreover, I think so many other programs and clubs in our school do not get the publicity they deserve, and football can help shed light on all those areas, such as theatre and visual arts.
“The football team has increased school spirit dramatically,” said freshman middle grades education major, Briana Smith, who attended the football game Sept. 12. “Everyone at the game was loud and cheerful, which made the game much more enjoyable. As a freshman, this makes my college experience even better.”
I believe it is time for our community to see KSU for the world-class university that it really is now. We are no longer a junior college, and we are becoming less of a commuter school.
Next time you’re driving in the Kennesaw area, pay attention to the local businesses and how they are trying to advertise to college students. Kennesaw students can get discounts at movie theaters, shopping centers and restaurants. We even have our own specialized coupon books delivered to us every year with our interests in mind.
It’s weird to say it, because I’ve lived here most of my life and I have watched KSU grow up, but I think Kennesaw is becoming more like a college town. Local businesses employ many of our students and have been celebrating our success with us.
I’ve seen adults, students, parents and professors walking through town wearing KSU apparel. All were excited for the inaugural game Sept. 12. A few years ago, I would have never thought the entire town would get excited about one of our football games.
It feels great to be a part of a university that keeps growing. We are important to the city of Kennesaw, and our school spirit is still spreading.
The owls will play the Shorter University Hawks at home on Sept. 19, and according to ksuowls.com, the tickets are already sold out again. We are coming for you Shorter; welcome to the nest.
