Spring Break
Cannon Ballers to spread school spirit
Staff Editorial
Editorial Board
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Editorials
Imagine Saint Louis University students who, when asked where they go to school, answer with pride, "Oh! I go to SLU! I love it there!" Can you?
Imagine cars in jammed SLU parking garages, plastered with decals of the Billiken's winking face. Imagine Chaifetz arena packed with patrons for every home basketball game.
Imagine legions of wildly enthusiastic, blue-body-paint-spattered SLU hooligans sprinting from the Clock Tower to Chaifetz Arena to cheer on the Billikens before every game. Can you?
Can you imagine a campus full of jubilation for its Billiken heritage, with every last shred of the nasty virus of apathy banished from its collective soul?
It could happen, if SLU's newest school-spirit initiative fulfills its potential.
The newest SLU-spirit initiative, called the "Cannon Ballers," is a real-life manifestation of Student Government Association President Sam Howard's enthusiasm for SLU-and her willingness to take on the campus' legendary lethargy.
Cannon Ballers is a grassroots society of more than 100 student leaders chosen for their zeal for the University. Each leader has recited a pledge to promote passion for, and commitment to, SLU events.
Cannon Ballers (named after the cannon ball that struck St. Ignatius of Loyola, prompting him to abandon his licentious lifestyle for a reflective one) was originally an exclusive group of hand-picked leaders meant to "create" traditions for SLU. The group now aims to preserve other already-existing traditions.
This decision was a smart one. It is risky to force artificial traditions for the sake of increased enthusiasm-what if the "new" traditions backfired? It is better to grow support for SLU standards such as Relay for Life and homecoming. That way, students choose for themselves what is worth celebrating. Students participate in making their own culture.
Another smart adaptation on Howard's part was opening the movement to all interested parties. After requests for greater inclusion, Howard expanded Cannon Baller appointments to include a broader nomination process.
This proves that she has allowed the students of SLU to adopt her brainchild. She has taken the bold step of including others in her most treasured plans. With the shared brain and brawn of so many zesty Billikens, all working for the same spirit initiatives, Howard is sure to accomplish many of her goals.
It will take more than one semester to banish student apathy from SLU. In fact, opposition will never completely disappear, and that gradual, organic process a good thing-enthusiasm without criticism is foolish, even dangerous.
But maybe, just maybe, with the help of these Cannon Ballers, current students will witness the advent of a new attitude here at SLU-an attitude of pride.
Imagine cars in jammed SLU parking garages, plastered with decals of the Billiken's winking face. Imagine Chaifetz arena packed with patrons for every home basketball game.
Imagine legions of wildly enthusiastic, blue-body-paint-spattered SLU hooligans sprinting from the Clock Tower to Chaifetz Arena to cheer on the Billikens before every game. Can you?
Can you imagine a campus full of jubilation for its Billiken heritage, with every last shred of the nasty virus of apathy banished from its collective soul?
It could happen, if SLU's newest school-spirit initiative fulfills its potential.
The newest SLU-spirit initiative, called the "Cannon Ballers," is a real-life manifestation of Student Government Association President Sam Howard's enthusiasm for SLU-and her willingness to take on the campus' legendary lethargy.
Cannon Ballers is a grassroots society of more than 100 student leaders chosen for their zeal for the University. Each leader has recited a pledge to promote passion for, and commitment to, SLU events.
Cannon Ballers (named after the cannon ball that struck St. Ignatius of Loyola, prompting him to abandon his licentious lifestyle for a reflective one) was originally an exclusive group of hand-picked leaders meant to "create" traditions for SLU. The group now aims to preserve other already-existing traditions.
This decision was a smart one. It is risky to force artificial traditions for the sake of increased enthusiasm-what if the "new" traditions backfired? It is better to grow support for SLU standards such as Relay for Life and homecoming. That way, students choose for themselves what is worth celebrating. Students participate in making their own culture.
Another smart adaptation on Howard's part was opening the movement to all interested parties. After requests for greater inclusion, Howard expanded Cannon Baller appointments to include a broader nomination process.
This proves that she has allowed the students of SLU to adopt her brainchild. She has taken the bold step of including others in her most treasured plans. With the shared brain and brawn of so many zesty Billikens, all working for the same spirit initiatives, Howard is sure to accomplish many of her goals.
It will take more than one semester to banish student apathy from SLU. In fact, opposition will never completely disappear, and that gradual, organic process a good thing-enthusiasm without criticism is foolish, even dangerous.
But maybe, just maybe, with the help of these Cannon Ballers, current students will witness the advent of a new attitude here at SLU-an attitude of pride.
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