Lasell College, located in Newton, MA with an approximate 1,700 student body population, is a small athletic school. Lasell includes a few basic sports such as basketball, baseball, lacrosse, and soccer. Compared to other schools who have hockey, football, sailing, or fencing, Lasell’s athletic department cannot compete. If Lasell had more sports, the college’s athletic and student population would increase in tremendously. Let’s take a look at the reasons why a sport such as hockey should be included in our athletics.
- Brings more revenue: If Hockey was a sport at Lasell College, the amount of money from ticket sales and concession stand sales would help generate money. Not to mention, as the hockey program grew there would be possible outside donators to help pay for equipment, and travel expenses.
- We are in New England: Pretty self-explanatory here, we live in New England which is pretty much a hockey region already. Also, we wouldn’t have trouble creating a schedule because most schools around the area, including New Hampshire schools, have hockey.
- Get’s the school’s name out there: Lasell has a population of about 1,700. If hockey was a sport here, it would be another marketing way for the college to get their name out there. If the hockey program consisted of out-of-state competitions such as Florida, Vermont, or Maine, then Lasell’s name would travel up and down the east coast.
- Increased Enrollment: Not only would hockey get Lasell’s name out there, but it would generate interest in the school itself. Having a hockey program would increase our athletic reputation and create general interest for high school hockey players searching for a college with the sport.
- School Spirit: Lasell only being composed of about 1,700 students, there is little presence for school spirit. Hockey, especially, would generate huge school spirit and increase student/faculty/staff attendance. Also, Lasell would gain more rivalries with different schools.
So why wouldn’t a small athletic school such as Lasell incorporate more sports into their athletic department? Aside from funding possibly not being available to add sports, such as hockey, the reasons that support adding a new sport into a college’s athletic department seem to outweigh the negatives. GO LASERS!