The only thing worse than someone in the student section cheering for the opposing team is someone in the student section not cheering at all. Unfortunately, to my surprise, I found a lot of both in the graduate student section during last weekend's game. Don't get me wrong, graduate students can be as passionate, as loud and as energetic as any fan. But, for every one graduate student I saw cheering in the stadium last weekend, I could find two or more that were stone-cold silent.
I know it's different being a graduate student, but it doesn't mean we have any less reason to cheer. In fact, most grad students (who aren't in the law or MBA program) have full ride scholarships along with a four- to five-figure salary paid for by Notre Dame. Isn't gratitude reason enough to cheer during the game? How hard can it be to make some noise or rattle your keys? How hard is it to go along with a cheer as simple as "We are ND?"
This is the year that every Irish fan has to not only be seen but also be heard in the stadium. Graduate student or not, if all you can bring is your silent support, please consider showing your support at home in front of the TV instead.
Shawn Ahmed
graduate student
Sept. 11
