THE OCEAN DOES not favor one wave over another. Yet in the world of collegiate sports, some tides rise higher than others.
Within the Bedan community, the idea of athletic pride is often tied to packed venues and roaring crowds. The louder the arena, the stronger the support appears to be. But beneath that surface lies a quieter reality—many athletes who train just as hard, sacrifice just as much, and represent the same colors do not always receive the same backing from the very community they compete for.
Support in sports is not measured only by applause during competitions. It is reflected in how athletes are treated beyond the spotlight: the spaces they train in, the conditions they live with, and the recognition they receive for their commitment. While some teams practice in established venues, others continue to adjust their routines because proper facilities are unavailable or limited. In some instances, athletes find themselves sharing cramped dormitory spaces, squeezing into living arrangements that hardly reflect the demanding lifestyle of collegiate competitors.
“If a university wishes to build a culture that truly celebrates excellence, support must extend beyond the loudest cheers and the most recognizable teams.”
These challenges reveal a deeper imbalance within the broader athletic structure. Some sports enjoy visibility and institutional recognition, while others remain in the margins despite requiring the same discipline and physical dedication. There are even groups within the university whose members undergo the same rigorous training and perform in competitions or demanding routines, yet they are not formally acknowledged under the same category as varsity athletes. Instead, they are labeled simply as campus organizations—a distinction that overlooks the athletic rigor their roles require.
“Sa support, I don’t think it’s all the same… They don’t have the same support as the Red Lions,” said College of Arts and Sciences Student Council President Mitziko Yema, reflecting on the disparity experienced by several athletic programs.
Her words capture what many athletes quietly endure. Recognition within sports culture often gravitates toward what is most visible, leaving other competitors to perform with far less attention despite carrying the same responsibility of representing the university.
Athletic pride should not operate on a hierarchy of popularity. The swimmer who wakes before dawn to complete endless laps, the athlete repeating drills in a crowded practice hall, and the performer executing routines that demand both endurance and precision all embody the same commitment to the school they represent. Their discipline may take different forms, but the dedication is equal.
If a university wishes to build a culture that truly celebrates excellence, support must extend beyond the loudest cheers and the most recognizable teams. It must be reflected in fair recognition, adequate facilities, and living conditions that respect the sacrifices athletes make daily. Because the weight of representing the school does not change depending on the sport—it is carried equally by every individual who wears its colors.
Because in the ever-changing tides of collegiate sports, the surface rarely tells the whole story. And as long as there are waves to read, Seal will always be there to uncover it.
Email me at thebedan_sportseditor@sanbeda.edu.ph