Positive fan support is a tremendous asset to our athletic events, and it makes the University of the District of Columbia experience all the more meaningful for student-athletes. In the 2011-12 academic year, your support of Firebird athletics contributed to extremely successful seasons for many of the school’s teams.
Six of University of DC’s 10 teams host home events during the year, and those teams combined for a 51-12-3 record at home in 2011-12, for a winning percentage of .795. The men’s and women’s basketball teams and men’s and women’s tennis teams – all four of which advanced to the NCAA Tournament – were particularly impressive at home. These four teams combined for 41 wins to just four losses while playing on their respective home courts. In fact, the women’s tennis team earned the school’s first-ever East Coast Conference championship right here in Washington, DC with a 5-1 victory over NYIT on October 6th, 2011.
Meanwhile, the men’s soccer team clearly played inspired on its home field as well. All eight of their games on campus were decided by one goal or less. The Firebirds won four of those verdicts (two in double-overtime) and tied three. Their only loss at home in 2011: a heartbreaking, 3-2 defeat after a two-goal comeback vs. Millersville – a team that went on to the NCAA Final Four.
The Firebirds volleyball team also had a noticeable lift when playing in front of their fans at UDC Gym. University of DC won six matches at home, including three during the season-opening tournament over Labor Day Weekend. Five of those six Firebird home wins were shutout victories.
As for the sports that do not compete on campus – men’s and women’s cross country and women’s indoor and outdoor track – Firebird fans show their support for these teams through a bit more non-traditional ways. While some go to the events and cheer their favorite athletes on in-person, others visit the athletics website, udcfirebirds.com or follow the Firebirds on Facebook and Twitter.
That said, the University of DC athletic department is working hard to create a more engaged social network following. We would like to give you, our fans, the chance to interact and show your support for all the Firebird teams. Now is the perfect opportunity to “Like” an athlete’s photo when they appear on the “Firebird Picture of the Day,” or share a positive comment in response to the latest post or tweet. We also invite you to share your own content (photos, videos, etc.) so as to add to the overall experience of the “Fan Page.”
University of the District of Columbia is proud of its athletic tradition, and we are committed to making participation in varsity athletics an integral and educational part of every student-athlete’s college experience. Our goal is to cultivate good sportsmanship and a feeling of pride among our athletes, fans and all who attend our events. We hope we can count on your support, and we look forward to an exciting season together. Go Firebirds!
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