Each fall sport has a different opinion about the attention that their sport receives. The majority of fall athletes, other than football players, speak often about the unfair publicity and awareness that they receive around campus and on social media. Although it is mostly noticed by those athletes who feel that they are not represented as well, football players, those who receive the most attention, have also recognized the difference.

The attention to fall sports has evolved each year as fall sports have changed. For the moment, students hear about the different fall sports events through WA Spirit on Instagram and the announcements at school. However, some student-athletes feel that their sport is not properly advertised and wish that they would receive more attention. 

Georgia Cline ‘24, who is on the Varsity softball team, agrees with the lack of recognition that many sports receive. She speaks about what she has noticed during the four years she has played. 

“Attendance by other students [for softball] is really low–like only our parents come to the game,” Georgia said.

Other athletes have noticed that only a few people know what their sport is or the effort that it takes to play it. There have been improvements as more videos are seen on the announcements to display some of the sports. Maddie Stancil ‘25, who is new to the clay target team this year, wanted a change from cheerleading and thought that this sport looked interesting but had no idea what clay target was about. She discusses how most people do not often know what clay target is and how advertising helps inform other students. 

“I thought the video was a good representation of what it [clay targets] looks like because, before I had joined, I had no idea what it looks like,” Maddie said.

At football games, the stands tend to be packed with the student section full of classmates cheering people on. Rylan Holder ‘24, who is a football player, emphasizes how attendance at games helps athletes get excited for their games. 

“People at our school really show up and show out,” Rylan said.

Attendance at the games can help motivate the players. Most of the sports such as softball, volleyball and clay target wish that people were rooting for them to win. The spirit that comes from others showing up can make a huge difference. Sometimes football players feel the same way when people leave early or only show up to the bigger games. However, even for a smaller game, there is a handful of other classmates who do show up. With most of the focus on football, players can still see how it is unfair.

“I feel like I don’t see any themes for the [other] sports games,” Rylan said.

Each sport has vocalized how the work to publicize other sports has improved, but more work needs to be done. Each year, promotions such as on social media and school announcements of fall sports have increased. Dean Anthony Thomas is not only a dean but a coach as well. He expresses what he has observed throughout his years working at Woodward.

“It’s getting better,” Dean Thomas said. “It can always be better. It’s a matter of the use of social media, more announcements, things like that.”