When you’re stressed out from studying or need to take a break from the routine of readings and p-sets, events like these are a chance to go out with friends and enjoy some time off. While complaints for more social spaces are definitely valid, there’s huge potential in sporting events turning into said social spaces.

Ok, you might be thinking, that’s reasonable. But why should I stay for the game? What if I just grab free stuff, hang out with friends, and leave?

At a school like Harvard where we value hard work, effort, determination, and celebrate it, it’s perplexing to me why we don’t do the same with athletics. Though the perception of the Harvard athlete is a subject that one could possibly write a thesis on, I’d be hard pressed to find a student here who doesn’t think hard work is commendable.

While I won’t assume my experiences speak for all athletes, one of the most rewarding things for a competitive athlete is to have people watching them while they play and show off the fruits of their hard work. Imagine training for hours every week in the morning and afternoon on top of having to balance a Harvard workload just to have almost nobody show up.

Talking to athletes and coaches after a game, the gratitude and sincerity with which they say thanks to us or the fans that do show up is amazing. It’s the rowdy—and potentially a bit drunk—fanbase, the support, the people cheering you on that make all those 5 a.m. alarms or late night practices worth it. Just like we enjoy having our intellectual success validated by being accepted into a school like Harvard, athletes often long to be accepted by a fanbase that embraces and supports them.

So, the next time you see a rep from the athletics department handing out tickets, an email advertising a game, or see a post or invitation from a friend that’s on a team to go to their game, please seriously think about going.

Grab a few friends and some snacks, walk across the river, forget about school for a little bit, and just enjoy being at a Harvard athletics event. With 42 varsity sports at Harvard, there’s bound to be one you’ll enjoy.

—Staff writer Julio Fierro can be reached at julio.fierro@thecrimson.com.