Alma Mater Matters

The "Boston College Alma Mater" is one of the oldest traditions here at Boston College. It even predates our fight song, "For Boston." Win or lose, the band plays it at the conclusion of every home athletic event. The melody makes athletes and spectators alike feel a part of the great tradition that is BC and BC athletics. The lyrics cause the listeners' hearts to swell with pride in their institution to remind them that the Heights is the "guide of our youth" and that, "Thy tow'rs are raised for the Right." Staying, standing, and singing the "Alma Mater" shows a respect and love for the University and her tradition. Why should one not love and respect BC? After all, hasn't BC been good to its students and student athletes?

I imagine that is what the marching band would like to ask the men's and women's basketball teams. The football and hockey teams stay on the field and rink while the band plays the "Alma Mater." Why can't the basketball teams?

They stay for the fight song, so it must not be a need to get to the locker room for the post game review of their performances. Even if this was the case, the hockey and football teams find the time to pay respect to the University and its tradition; the basketball teams should as well.

Not remaining on the court for a song might not seem like a big deal, but there are two major problems with this, and these problems might actually signal a much larger issue. On a very superficial level, not remaining on the court is disrespectful to the band.
The band members spend many long hours during the week practicing so they can entertain the spectators and support their student athletes. It is strange that the basketball teams, who, like the band, spend many hours practicing, just leave in the middle of what could be considered the pinnacle of the band's performance. This is like if all the Superfans were to leave Conte Forum during the final minute of a tie game.
Perhaps it is speculative to assert this, but the basketball teams would not like this. They would feel disrespected and devalued by the fans. The sentiment among the members of the marching band is that they feel disrespected and devalued by the student athletes that they prepare all week to support.

On a deeper level, leaving the court after the fight song shows disrespect to the University and its traditions. Disrespecting a BC tradition is almost ironic because athletics is one of our great traditions. Does leaving the court before the "Alma Mater" demonstrate a disdain for BC? Not overtly. But this subtle slight to BC, its traditions, and its marching band may be a sign of a larger problem. Do the basketball teams feel slighted by the University? Do they not feel as if they are respected by the Superfans and other spectators? If they do feel slighted and disrespected, what can BC and the student body do to change this? If the teams do not feel slighted and disrespected, they should stay on the court and show respect for the marching band, BC, and one of the great traditions of our institution.