Despite having consistently competitive teams in their respective leagues, the Camosun College Chargers appear to be mostly irrelevant to most students beyond the ones playing for them.
The prospect of a cheap, live-sports alternative to more expensive options such as the Victoria Royals or Shamrocks should a viable opportunity for Camosun College students to support their athletics program while also cheering for their current student athletes, but turnout for the teams’ home games has traditionally been quite low.
“We’d love to have our student population out supporting us, I don’t know if it’s being isolated out at PISE [the Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence] or if we’re just a little disconnected, but if you’re a Camosun student, it’s very economical,” says basketball head coach Craig Price. “Come out and be crazy supporters and get away with it. It’s one of the few places you can yell and scream and it’s socially acceptable.”
Whether it’s the presentation of the Chargers’ online content (a simplistic blog with low-resolution graphics), the Interurban campus location of their home games, or a lack of promotion (or a combination of the three) the inability to connect with its core audience has affected support for the Chargers teams. This disconnection has also left students fairly unified in their lack of knowledge of the Chargers, or even the existence of a Camosun athletics program.
“I haven’t heard of anything,” says university transfer student Santino Barbon. “I haven’t seen any posters around; this is my first time hearing about the Chargers.”
A walk around the Lansdowne campus confirms Barbon’s statement. Despite several bulletin boards throughout the various buildings, none contain any information on any of the five Camosun sports teams.
“Advertising, active advertising,” suggests criminal law student Adrian Thow. “Maybe have a demonstration saying, ‘Here are our teams, look at us.’”
An increased attempt by Camosun to promote a Chargers brand could benefit students looking for an opportunity to connect with their peers. Increased attendance by the student body could allow a stronger support system for current athletes, while also promoting Camosun and its athletic programs.
In fact, the failure to capitalize on a potential fan base could certainly be viewed as a missed opportunity.