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January 19, 2007 > Opinion > Post-Graham football still worthy of support

Post-Graham football still worthy of support

By Schuyler Woods | Thresher Editorial Staff

College could be considered a sort of purgatory wedged between childhood and the real world. Most students will leave with a university education cleansed of puerile sentimentalism and irresponsibility that is supposed to equip its owners with an analytic mind and a sense of reality. And, to be cold, a sense of reality defined strictly as business.

Football head coach Todd Graham’s recent departure disheartened a great number of Rice students, leaving newly loyal football fans feeling dejection and scorn for the former drillmaster. But I believe a different view of the situation should be put in order: one that accepts Graham’s decision as one of business, not of sentimentalism. And certainly not as the end of student support for our football team.

Graham’s decision was not unlike most decisions made by adults in the workforce. Often when one operates at a highly productive level, the performance garners the attention of head hunters or competing corporations. Subsequently, tempting offers roll in. If one is extended something greater — in Graham’s case, a massive salary boost — it would behoove one to strike fast and hard at the new opportunity.

Although Graham’s entrance correlated with the great success of the 2006 season, his presence does not necessarily imply direct causation. We must remember it was not Graham running around the field, hurling his body in harm’s way and enduring the physical and emotional strain of a newly intensified regimen. The Rice football team did that. They are still here and in need of our continued support. Although the team will lose a class of strong players, the sophmore nucleus that includes Jarett Dillard and Brian Raines will remain, ready for the 2007 season — and a new coach.

Amidst the pool of dejection and scorn lies another feeling that is even more alarming than the aforementioned anger: withdrawal. When times have been tough for the football team, it has been common for its critics to bemoan the sport’s annual cost and suggest a demotion. We should not abandon the football team. And specifically, we should not abandon Division I athletics. As a school that prides itself on excellence in a multitude of academic fields, we should continue to strive for excellence in athletics as well.

Athletics might as well be considered a department of academia. Athletics demand the absorption of information (plays), and the immediate, flexible application in unpredictable settings (games). Athletes flex not only their bodies but their minds as well.

A step down from Division I athletics would detract from the many recent accomplishments of Rice’s student-athletes, including the baseball team’s College World Series appearance and the football team’s first bowl appearance in 45 years. Their accomplishments and work would be in vain if Rice did not continue to compete in Division I.

Graham made an executive decision, as should Rice. It is really quite simple: A new coach needs to be designated soon, the football team will return to its drills and we will continue to support our team. And we will beat Tulsa next season — see you soon, ex-Coach Graham.

Schuyler Woods is a Lovett College sophomore and assistant opinion editor.

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