It’s hard to believe the St. Thomas football team has only two more games left in the 2013 regular season. As the NCAA Division III playoffs quickly approach, it is important that the University of St. Thomas community continues cheering our Tommies on to victory!
As I look around campus on football Saturdays, the one thing that never ceases to catch my eye is the sea of purple that surrounds me, from the stands of O’Shaughnessy Stadium to Purple on the Plaza – a tradition held every home game on John P. Monahan Plaza (or, if there is inclement weather, in the Anderson Student Center).
Nick Goffard
As a second-year graduate student employed in the Anderson Student Center, I enjoy the opportunity to assist members of our community with their campuswide events. Having worked at every Purple on the Plaza this season, I see that same campus pride all around me. From the traditional UST hooded sweatshirt to those infamous white and purple striped overalls (which yes, I would definitely rock at a future home game), it is apparent our students, faculty and staff are unlike any campus body I have witnessed. Many St. Thomas departments take part in Purple on the Plaza festivities, including Dining Services, the Tommie Shop, Campus Life, STAR, TommieMedia.com and the Alumni Association; furthermore, Purple on the Plaza showcases the exceptional talents of student groups, including the UST Cheer Team, Dance Team and Pep Band.
It also is great to see members of the Twin Cities community (and beyond) support the Tommies. Each home game, alumni, parents and neighboring supporters come to back the Tommies and St. Thomas as a whole. Such support from family and constituents has created a lasting legacy – one that has characterized this community since its founding in 1885.
This Saturday at 1:10 p.m., the Tommies play Concordia-Moorhead at home. In addition to being our last home game of the regular season, it also will be Senior Day – a game to salute the 22 seniors on the team. Please help us celebrate the accomplishments of our seniors as well as cheer our Tommies on to another win!
While I’ll indeed be a Tommie for life, I’m sad this is my last football season as a graduate student. I hope my future institutions possess as heightened a sense of fun, passion and school spirit as St. Thomas. Purple on the Plaza is one of many events that illustrates to me the pride that members of our community possess.
The next time you throw on that purple crewneck sweatshirt or see a pair of those awesome white and purple overalls, be proud of the community you belong to now and forever – the St. Thomas community. Go Tommies!
