Take me out to the football game

It doesn't get much better than this. This year's homecoming featured a beautiful fall day, a wealth of fans and alumni, and a winning football team. But perhaps the most striking highlight of the weekend was the rare display of school spirit and unity.

Tufts sports teams have long been used to sub-par attendance at a school where only the sailing team competes above the Division III level. Maybe this year's homecoming will convince some that rankings and NCAA levels really don't make a difference when it comes to supporting the people you go to school with. When you're in the stands, surrounded by your classmates and cheering for whatever team is playing, you can feel a sense of pride for your school that doesn't just come from going to classes or wearing the occasional Tufts t-shirt.

Since there are only a few large school-wide events each year, it's easy to get the impression that the Tufts population is segregated and detached. There is so much going on here _ so many clubs, activities, and diversions _ that it's not often you find a lot of Tufts students in the same place at the same time. Maybe that's why homecoming and Spring Fling (and even the Naked Quad Run) are looked forward to by so many.

But homecoming doesn't have to be a one-time event that gets everyone interested in the football or soccer team for an afternoon, only to be forgotten about tomorrow. These teams play every week, and it couldn't be easier to get to or watch the games. There are no tickets to buy, no stadiums to deal with, and no driving involved.

Though it would be impractical to have a tailgaters' village every weekend, Tufts would be wise to expand programming at regular home sporting events. Most students don't come to Homecoming for the football game, they come for the atmosphere and social aspects. If Jumbo's tent could be set up every week, with different groups offering food and promoting Tufts spirit, then football games would become a place for students to congregate and hang out on a Saturday afternoon.