Idaho football is already eliminated from playoff contention going into the final two weeks. To describe this season as a disappointment is an understatement, as it began with Idaho becoming the first program to voluntarily drop to the FCS level and rejoin the Big Sky Conference.
It’s normal for a fan to express disappointment — even expected. Veteran sportscaster Vin Scully once said, “Losing feels worse than winning feels good,” and in recent years Vandals have grown quite familiar with this sentiment.
Yet, it’s important to keep in mind our athletes take these losses even harder — they are students just like us. As if losing wasn’t bad enough, football players feel the spotlight on them 24/7 as fans flock to social media.
Their record isn’t great, but perhaps it’s time for the spotlight to shift. There is more to University of Idaho athletics than football, and the university promotes a wealth of arguably more successful teams which tend to fly under the radar.
Take women’s basketball, for example. Since joining the Big Sky Conference in 2014, the team has netted three seasons with more wins than losses, as well as championship win in 2016.
In comparison, the men’s basketball team won their last regular season in 1993, although they too have boasted positive records the past three years.
The women’s volleyball team played Northern Arizona Thursday with a chance at snagging the Big Sky regular season title. Currently holding a 12-game winning streak — the longest since 1995 — the Vandals took nine first-place votes in the annual Big Sky poll and are the clear conference favorites. Yet, this is likely unknown to most students.
Where is the attention? Where is the turnout? Historically, women’s sports have much lower attendance.
Whether it’s poor advertising or simply a lack of interest, something has to change. The Vandals are beginning to be associated only with the pigskin, and recent athletic administrative issues have further thrust a spotlight on the team’s relative shortcomings.
Moscow is home to a great university and an even greater community. While athletics fill a competitive void, they serve a more relatable purpose as well — games are a mean for people to come together, socialize and enjoy each other’s company.
When one team fails to succeed, it’s crucial to remain supportive and not push UI’s other teams out of the picture.
A football loss is not the end of the world — maybe it’s just a way to finally consider shifting the spotlight to another Vandal team.
Basketball, golf, tennis, volleyball, swim and dive — even club sports such as men’s hockey are continuing to see success.
These might not have close to football’s following, but maybe they could if the community comes together.
An athlete bleeds Vandal gold regardless of the sport, and it’s up to us to show recognition and support for each group of highly dedicated student athletes.
Push back against the norm. Our identity does not lie solely on the gridiron.
-MR