The skies may have been a brilliant blue over the Big House for today's football season opener, but I'm afraid it wasn't enough to ward off the possibility of fairweather loyalty to the Commodore team. Granted- the match-up against Michigan, one of the projected Big 10 teams for this year, was statistically bound to end in the Wolverines' favor. But should a loss from a powerhouse like Michigan stop us from rooting for our own underdog of the SEC? Are we doomed to get back in the habit of lackluster support before the Commodores play Arkansas for the first home game?

How quickly it seems we forget the parading of the goalposts down West End Avenue three years ago after a victory against Kentucky or last year's 28-24 November win against Tennessee. Even when the going got rough last season, Vanderbilt fans were taking the team seriously, including suffering feelings of personal injury after an excessive celebration call in The Swamp and the commemoration of past player Kwane Doster. As a photographer on the field for home games last season, I couldn't help but give lens time to the fans to capture the waves of support that undulated over the crowd, the painted black and gold chests and the gleam of pride in the players' eyes as they saluted the student section under the stadium lights after a victory. Will Vandy fans turn a blind eye to recent displays of sportsmanship? Say it ain't so.

While the Commodore men will certainly have to step up their game to keep us believing for the long haul in 2006, it is my greatest hope that we as a student body will not immediatley fall to apathy. With the permission to tailgate this year before home games, may we not be afraid to get a little bit excited, even riled, at the chance to support our football team. May we break the mold of fairweather support and clear the air for what lies ahead this season, win or lose.