GVSU hosts hundreds of different student sub-groups from student organizations to musical groups, theater fans and professionally-based alliances. Every student can find his or her niche, and yet it is important to come together as Lakers.

Sports typically offer a unifying factor, whether students are diehard fans or simply attend games for the social atmosphere. Traditionally, the football team has provided that common ground at GVSU, but others sports are just as deserving of a strong fan base.

The Sept. 9 issue of the Lanthorn included an article highlighting the high level of fan support in the football team’s 34-31 victory over West Texas A&M University to open the season. More than 13,000 people turned out for that game, which still stands as the highest attendance total of the season. Since then the Lakers have moved on to the No. 1 rank in the country, an undefeated 8-0 record and prime positioning to vie for a NCAA National Championship.

Because of that, Laker fans turn out in bunches to support them – the team averages 11,450 spectators per home game – but for other as-prominent Laker teams, it’s an uphill struggle to get 11,000 fans to come out in one season, let alone one game.

Take the women’s soccer team for example. Last month the team dropped a conference game for the first time in 43 games with an overtime loss to Nothern Michigan Univeristy. But since then the Lakers have risen to a No. 3 national rank, earned eight straight shutout victories and avenged its loss to the Wildcats.

The team has out-scored its opponents 64-5 so far this season and yet has only averaged 306 spectators through nine games. 306. Only 2,755 people have come to watch the Lakers play this season, a total that falls well short of the football team’s average game attendance. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team fresh off of its first NCAA National Championship in program history.

The volleyball team has had trouble getting people to come out as well. Although the team boasts a No. 22 national rank and a 15-5 overall record with nine straight victories and 11 shutout wins on the season, it averages only 489 spectators through five home games this season.

If this university wants to continue to be known as Laker Nation, then let it support all of the members of that nation rather than just one of its larger pillars. The volleyball team has five straight home games coming up before the GLIAC Championship tournament rolls around next month, and the women’s soccer team has a tough conference matchup against Ferris State University at home on Oct. 30.

Let the nation come out and show each team as much support in one season as it does in one football game.