Ball State football is 1-0, a great start to the season for the Cardinals. However, according to The Star Press, only 22,500 can be held in the seats of Scheumann Stadium.
Only 13,068 fans filled the stadium for the Northeastern University game, including 35 percent of the student body, which equates to about 53 percent of the arena (The Star Press).
This community has a lot to look forward to this season, if only it would show up. Ball State has given a lot to this community; support of its athletics department is something that is not too much to ask. There is no reason Scheumann Stadium should not be brimming at almost full capacity every home game - especially after the season the Cardinals had last year.
This Friday night however Gov. Mitch Daniels is expected to visit Ball State University, and he is planning on attending the Ball State vs. Navy game. Now, while the Governor is coming to Ball State to meet with students, members of the community and visit campus, he will be helping out the Ball State Football team too.
With him come waves of people who would like to see the governor. Now, while they are here to listen to Governor Daniels speak or maybe even just to shake his hand, they are also very aware of the game-day atmosphere around them and find themselves being pulled into the stadium, donning Cardinal and White, praying for a victory, and screaming "Fight, Fight, Fight".
Now, do not be mistaken, this is also going to benefit Governor Daniels.
His trip to Ball State will highlight his achievements over the past 3.5 years and will give him a chance to state his case for re-election with voters.
In 2004, voters between the ages of 18 and 24 had the worst turnout at the polls. With 27,808 students between the ages of 18 and 24 polled, only 51.5 percent said they were registered with 58.5 percent of registered students saying that they did not vote at all, according to census.gov.
The governor will need the vote of the college students as well as the stay-at-home moms, the blue collar workers and the elderly in addition to support from the Republican base.
Daniels will have a rare opportunity to talk about issues that are important to college students now. Keeping jobs in Indiana, finding ways to make sure every Hoosier can receive a higher education as well as plans for teachers and classrooms throughout the state of Indiana (Ball State does have a large Teacher's College, you know).
The Mitch for Governor Campaign is excited about this Friday.
"Governor Daniels is a strong supporter of Ball State University and its students, and he always enjoys the time he's able to spend on campus," said Cam Savage, communications director for Daniel's campaign. "He's also a tremendous sports fan, so he'll be rooting hard for the Cardinals on Friday."
With the fight song playing and the Ball State football team pushing the ball deep into Navy's red zone, I can already see the governor surrounded by a sea of green "My Man Mitch" T-shirts in addition cardinal and white.
For at least one night, Gov. Daniels will be a Cardinal. He will experience the fight song, sung by the entire student section as the Ball State Marching Band plays on the field. He will experience his first "Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!" during a 3rd-down play and for one night students will be able to say that they defeated the Navy Midshipmen with their Governor at their side.
Robert Burgess is a sophomore majoring in political science and writes 'The Right Word' for the Daily News. His views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
Write to Robert at rkburgess@bsu.edu
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