| February 19, 1999 |
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Calvin College Chimes
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IN OTHER NEWS:
Homecoming brings students, alumni together
Course requirements to be changed in 2000
Some zany homecoming ideas ditched for reality
Knight club gains popularity, increases spirit
By Kathleen Minkner
ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
Though the Calvin College Knight Club was established only three weeks ago, it has gained enormous popularity among students.
The Knight Club, which kicked off Jan. 12, is a type of pep club. Students receive a free T-shirt and in turn agree to project positive sportsmanship and cheer for athletes. They also agree to attend as many sporting events as possible to show their support.
Jon Tony, a junior, is glad to see the Knight Club take off. “Not only is it fun to root for the team, but it also creates a sense of belonging,” he said. Students “can take pride [in the club] and in our team.”
Sophomore Kevin Singer, president of the Student Alumni Association, got the Knight Club up and running. The Student Alumni Association is a group of people that meet to bring about and promote events in the interest of students. They also work closely with the Alumni Association to bring alumni and current students together.
The Knight Club idea, which was proposed at a board meeting in December, developed quickly. Many people were interested in starting a club to increase school spirit.
Chaplain Dale Cooper was glad to see that the Alumni Association was playing a role in getting Knight Club off the ground. “Those in leadership positions are the cheerleaders -- they prompt things into happening,” he said.
Tony, who has attended most of the basketball games this season, agrees. “I am encouraged by what Calvin is doing. The Knight Club is really catching on,” he stated. “What they are doing is creating a sense of community.”
A 15 member committee of mostly students, discussed the name of the club and the T-shirt design. After deciding on colors, Singer persuaded Pepsi and Wendy’s to sponsor the club. The shirts were free to students but cost about $3000 to produce.
“We originally had 300 shirts ordered and the club was a big hit so we ordered another 300,” said Singer.
Singer had little trouble getting the club started. “We had no difficulty getting sponsors,” he stated. “Other people had had the idea and I know there was a demand for this [type of club].”
Singer thinks that the best way to get the most out of your college years is to get involved. “It’s part of the whole school environment,” he said. “Whether you’re in a club, a sport, or are involved in the community, it is important to get involved.” Tony agrees. “Involvement creates community and an atmosphere that people enjoy and are comfortable in,” he said. “You also get to know people in the stands that you would not normally talk to.”
Chaplain Cooper, who has been at Calvin for over 23 years, thinks that you can never have enough school spirit. “I believe that life is a gift come from God. To enjoy the gift and bless the Giver is to encourage eachother,” he stated. “That means yelling at basketball games or clapping in church -- joy shared is joy multiplied.”
Students can also get involved by attending concerts and sporting events and encouraging their classmates. “School spirit at Calvin is decent. I think that the programs we have are doing well,” said Singer.
“There is, however, always room for improvement.” Chaplain Cooper, who has attended over 600 sporting events, agrees. He also says that Calvin is much different from other schools.
“[At other schools], there tends to be a sense of idolatry. Here, there is a different context ... we don’t idolize people, we affirm their gifts through encouragement,” he said.
Singer also added that students who have suggestions or ideas should join the S.A.A. For more information, call Kevin Singer at x6721 or e-mail saa@calvin.edu.
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