Liston blames the smaller residential communities of the Harvard campus.

"Too many people are more into staying in Houses and cliques rather than building a community at Harvard," he says.

Bad Teams

A main cause for the decline of Harvard spirit may be the decline of traditionally central sports like football and basketball.

"Harvard's proud tradition in football has been dormant," says football coach Tim Murphy. "That tradition has to be rekindled."

Kenan Professor of Government Harvey C. Mansfield '53 is more succinct.

"We haven't had a winning season since 1987," says Mansfield, adding that attendance was better during his years at Harvard.

Last year, the Harvard football team's record was 3-7. Many fans say they just don't want to watch the team lose every week.

It wasn't always this way.

Few fans know that Harvard in its heyday was a veritable football powerhouse, winning national championships in 1890, 1910, 1912 and 1913. Harvard gridders were Rose Bowl champions in 1919.

Even as recently as 1968, Harvard football had an undefeated campaign.

Hope for the Future

It's that kind of tradition that Murphy says he wants to rekindle. It is "obviously part of the challenge of coming here," he says.

In fact, Murphy says he already sees a new spirit, at least in the football team.

"There's no question that the players have more pride now than a year ago, and will have more a year from now," Murphy says.