Athletes or Fratletes?

One of the largest sporting events in collegiate athletics, the 53-year-old Little 500 is built just as much on tradition as it is on riding laps. Its ranks are open to the best student riders -- men and women who ride for the joy of playing instead of an athletic scholarship. Anyone can participate as long as they are good enough to make it past the first round. It sums up what athletics should be: competition, fun and celebration. \nOther "real" athletes at the school have voiced their envy at the amount of attention the race receives. Some say they feel shafted; why are these non-NCAA affiliated riders getting television airplay? Why do students and alumni crowd Bill Armstrong Stadium once a year when track, swimming, field hockey and other less-publicized athletes play to empty stands every week during their season? \nIt's easy. Little 500 is exciting. For those of us with a short attention span there are all sorts of diversions to keep you occupied at the race. Crashes! Last minute sprints! That drunk guy puking on his girlfriend right in front of you! \nBeyond the basics of our 30-second attention spans that just can't deal with a 3200 meter footrace, Little 500 has something IU's sports teams don't: the public relations mega-muscle of the Indiana University Student Foundation. While wrestling and volleyball take second rung in the IU Athletics Department PR calling calender, IUSF can spend its money and time in one place. Then there's the inspiration of all the tourism dollars the race brings to the school. Maybe the athletics department is more excited to publicize men's basketball and football than women's volleyball or any track event, but those athletes deserve just as much support. They are in the weight room and on the road for just as long as the moneymakers. \nSo, with no other options left to you, suck it up, athletes. It isn't fair that the average student would rather watch a TV movie than sit through a swim meet you spend half of your life training for. It isn't fair that students don't support the home team when its players are just as talented and hardworking as the bike riders. But that's how it is. If you're not happy with the situation, do something about it. Send out e-mails to your friends before every meet. Offer prizes. Have an independent filmmaker put out "Breaking Away 2: The True Story of 100-meter Freestyle." But it isn't all up to you, either. You do deserve more support, mainly from the department of preferential PR gusto. \nLittle 500 isn't just another IU sport. It's an event. So grab your coolers and head down to the races this weekend. While you're there, tell the kid sitting next to you why track is that cool. \n-- Jessica Halverson for the Editorial Board