The artifact that I ended up choosing is the constitution of the Block SC Society of Santa Clara University. While I was scouring the internet for any reference of them, as well as trying to glean more information about spirit groups at SCU, I found an application for the Job of Manager of Athletic Game Day Promotions. I found this to be an interesting find, not only because I was not aware that such a position existed, nor that there is a fairly extensive list of requirements for the job, but because I wonder if this position would have been fulfilled by SC Block back when they existed. It makes me wonder why there is a recent application for a position that I would have hoped would already be filled. However, the overwhelming lack of support for the athletics department from the student body points to the idea that we really do need someone or something to come in and make a change.

This ties nicely into an article I found on The Santa Clara, The undergraduate newspaper’s, website titled Santa Clara Has No School Spirit. This article discusses the lack of people who attend sports games, blaming largely the student body for our sports team’s mediocrity. I would like to Imagine that there was a time when this was not the case, and our sports teams had fans. I personally can attest that it is a lot more fun playing in front of a home court crowd than anywhere else. Maybe the SC Block of antiquity carried the duties of school spirit, allowing the athletics to excel. It requires more research for sure, but brings up a fascinating idea about the advantages of a crowd at a sports game.

I am excited to look more into this idea, especially as if I was able to make a solid claim, and even more farfetched if I can make some noise, then more people will come to our sports games, which are very fun to go to.