Support our Bennie athletes

When was the last time you went to a Bennie soccer game or stopped by Claire Lynch Hall to watch a volleyball game? Could you name the five starters for the CSB basketball team? Have you cheered on the Bennies at a tennis match, swim meet or lacrosse game?

What about a Johnnie football game?

We’d venture to guess that most students have attended multiple Johnnie sporting events during their time at CSB+SJU but are far less likely to extend their support to Bennie athletics.

When we consider school spirit at CSB+SJU, respect, attention and notoriety tend to disproportionally tilt towards SJU Athletics. This isn’t to say that Johnnie athletics don’t deserve to be recognized for their achievements—any self-respecting Bennie or Johnnie loves to hear the post-touchdown cheers echoing in Clemen’s Stadium—however, it’s important to acknowledge that Bennie athletic accomplishments deserve the same level of recognition.

Bennie athletes exemplify the qualities of both student and athlete. Whether in the classroom or on the court, they excel. With so many Bennies continually breaking records and achieving incredible levels of athleticism, how could you not pay attention? Check out the pop-out box to the left to see just a few ways our outstanding CSB athletes are trailblazing new pathways for collegiate athletes.

The success of CSB Athletics is just one reason why we are excited to see the return of FiRED Up Friday’s—a new CSB Senate campaign that encourages Bennies to wear red to support their fellow Bennies.

The origins of wearing red on Fridays are unconfirmed—mathematics professor Robert Campbell said that the idea began between 2012 and 2014, when Bennies were encouraged to wear red to show school spirit, but eventually fell by the wayside due to poor marketing. The idea was revitalized in Dana Drazenovich’s advanced media writing class in 2017. The goal of the student-driven campaign, titled “FiRED Up Fridays,” was focused on building unity among all Bennies, Johnnies and the larger campus community.

Now, eight years later, the CSB Senate has taken on the idea of FiRED Up Fridays with the External Engagement Committee’s newest initiative. The St. Ben’s Senate hopes that the renewal of the initiative will encourage CSB-specific school pride. If you are a Bennie caught “red-handed” (wearing red on Fridays), you have the chance to win a bookstore gift card. It’s also a great opportunity to get your hands on some free St. Ben’s merch.

Although the FiRED Up campaign has taken on many faces and audiences throughout the last two decades, the messaging remains the same: Bennies need to support Bennies, in athletics and beyond.

What’s the takeaway? Supporting female athletes matters, and it’s one of the easiest things you can do. Women and girls in sports play an important role in raising awareness on topics such as gender equality, fighting stereotypes and empowering individuals. Encouraging and showing support for women and girls in sports helps build confidence and promote physical health and fitness.

As we near the end of Women’s History Month, the editorial board encourages all of us (Bennies and Johnnies alike) to wear red on Fridays. Even better, we’ll see you wearing red to the next Bennie athletic event.

**Basketball:** Senior Carla Meyer recently achieved 1,000 points in her college career; junior Sophia Jonas is the current record holder in season three pointers for both MIAC and CSB with 84.

**Cross Country:** Senior Fiona Smith has won five national titles across both cross country and track and field. Last semester, she won St. Ben’s first ever national cross-country title by over a minute.

**Track and Field:** Sophomore Jaylyn Ahlberg is the first Bennie in program history to record a pole vault over 12 feet and the first CSB pole vault champion since 2017.

**Swim and Dive:** Eight CSB athletes were honored with All-MIAC honors at the MIAC Swim and Diving Championships in February.

**Hockey:** In 2022, the CSB hockey team made the playoffs for the first time in twenty years.

**Tennis:** In 2022, senior Peyton Kopel and junior Sophia Jonas finished as doubles runner up at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).

**Volleyball:** Senior Emma Guest and junior Audrey Spolidoro made all-region honorable mention.

**Golf:** Senior Emily Renner finished in the top 10 for the third time at the MIAC Championship.