Last week, The Ram ran an in-depth investigation into the state of Fordham athletics (V. 94, i. 2). While no one would argue that Fordham is about to join the ranks of the most prestigious collegiate athletics programs, it is encouraging to see tangible progress among our teams, whether it is a smaller program like women's swimming and diving or our now highly-funded basketball teams.

The improvement in their records should be motivation enough. Add to the equation more support from the student body: Gone are the days when the Rose Hill Gym emptied out at halftime. School spirit among students is as high as it has been in recent memory, and it is important to capitalize on it. When students care, so do student-athletes. Take a look at the men's basketball home record this season for proof.

Furthermore, we believe a strong athletics program reflects positively on the University itself. Athletics are often touted as the "doorstep" of a university. Having a recognizable and respectable athletics program draws attention to the school; from there, academics, campus life and student affairs can take center stage. People often forget that the Ivy League is, first and foremost, an athletics division. If Fordham truly aspires to be equal to institutions like Georgetown, Boston College and Notre Dame, a competitive, nationally-recognized athletics program is almost essential. 

The question now is how Fordham can achieve the success it seeks in athletics. The University always prides itself on its high academic standards. Here, it is always academics first and athletics second. Unlike some other universities, our student-athletes are expected to achieve at a high academic standard and are not given an easy way out of that commitment. Fordham consistently places among the top of all U.S. colleges in its athletic program's GPA. Just one year ago, 57 percent of Fordham athletes attained a GPA of 3.0 or better — a school record. Should this academic achievement be seen as an enemy to athletic success? And, if it is, is it worth giving up Fordham's high academic expectations to achieve this success?

We at The Ram applaud Fordham for standing fast by its principles. We are proud to attend an institution that focuses so strongly on academics, and we do not feel that these principles need to be compromised in order to create the necessary change in the athletics program. The change we are looking for will come from a change in the atmosphere here: a change that is already beginning. A comparison between the Rose Hill Gym during the men's basketball team's last home game (ultimately a close loss) and a game occurring on a similar weekend last year will convince anyone that the culture of school spirit at Fordham is changing for the better. The students are excited to follow a team which, newly provided with a larger budget and increased confidence, is excelling in a way that last year's Ram Fan could never have fathomed. If the improvements in both athletics and school spirit continue in the way they have started, we hope it will not be long before Fordham is able to attain the combination of academic and athletic prestige that it so ardently seeks.