Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Owls in NFL Having Impact On Campus
8/30/2012 12:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 30, 2012
Usually when I say I go to FAU, the person I'm talking to automatically responds with you mean FSU? FIU? And then in slow motion, I have to say no, Florida Atlantic University. I guess I can't really blame them, since the state of Florida has a number of football powerhouses. FAU is not near the level of the University of Florida, University of Miami, etc, YET. However, it seems that as this football season approaches, the less explaining I've had to do of what school I attend. And it's not just because of the buzz the school has created with the new coach and stadium, but it has more to do with the performance of former FAU players.
This NFL preseason put FAU on the map. All three players that were taken in the NFL draft, Rusty Smith (2010), Rob Housler (2011), and Alfred Morris (2012), as well as free agent signee Lestar Jean, had stellar debuts. Smith led the Tennessee Titans in passing week two against the Bucs with five completions and 86 yards, Housler totaled 83 yards this pre-season, just 50 away from his previous regular season total of 133 yards, Jean led the Houston Texans in week one's 26-13 win over the Panthers with 50 yards, and this year's drafree, Alfred Morris, was the first one to break the 100 yard rushing mark this pre-season and led the Washington Redskins last Saturday with 14 carries and 107 yards.
It's great that former FAU football players are performing well, but sports fans have seen similar stats before. In turn, somebody from FAU can be drafted this year and they can pull a 110 yard next pre-season game as well. However, the greatest moment for FAU fans comes after the rushes, passes, and touchdowns; it's how prideful the players are of FAU. When Alfred Morris threw up the `Owl Fingers' after his two-yard touchdown; you heard students & fans talking about that for days. As a student and loyal fan myself, I was flattered. Students are sometimes embarrassed to say they go to FAU, so for FAU's all time leading rusher and touchdown scorers to throw up the "Owl Fingers" on national television was awesome. The pride these former FAU football players exude on the professional playing field is slowly carrying over onto campus.
It's as simple as when Rusty Smith is calling the play and the on screen graphics say "College: Florida Atlantic University." Whenever it happens, you can hear one or two yells of excitement. From an Owl scoring a touchdown or simply catching the ball, it is safe to say that the FAU community is finally embracing the alma mater and the University's culture. There is now an optimistic feeling amongst student opinions when they are speaking about FAU's athletic department. The conversation is no longer straight criticism and questioning why we build a stadium in the first place when the University can barely afford classes. Instead, they are making plans to be in the stadium to continue building tradition and be the example of how strong Owl Pride can be. They now want to be in the stadium and say "I was there" when future FAU players play professionally.
The picture of Alfred Morris of throwing up the Owl Fingers is one of the greatest things that could've ever happened to FAU. With the start of a brand new football after a 1-11 season, there couldn't have been a better time for this to happen. Since players like Smith, Housler, Jean and Morris have made their mark on the professional field, it also makes my life as a FAU student /fan easier; there's less explaining of what "FAU" is and more talking of how great FAU is becoming.
Students should be extremely proud of FAU, the talent it's producing, and take advantage of the opportunity to watch FAU players in the early stages of their career. Grasp the FAU culture now and enjoy watching the school grow because this is only the beginning.
Ginette Javier
Ginette.Javier@gmail.com
