In case you haven’t noticed, there have been some changes around Neumann recently; In the world of athletics that is.
In previous years, Neumann has lacked excitement around their sporting events. Most games were treated as, well, just a game. The school spirit was low, and not many supporters were at the games, matches, and meets. There was not too much cheering and passion from the NU community towards the teams we have on campus. The events also lacked anything surrounding the game, as there was little to no pageantry.
No gameday atmosphere or experience, just a game. Little fandom, just support.
New Athletic Director, John Krimmel, came to Neumann with a plan, and has executed it well thus far.
Krimmel came in with goals to create a lively gameday atmosphere and a community that cheers on all sports in a passionate way. Showing Neumann’s athletes’ support while providing entertainment and a reason to stay on campus.
It’s fair to say the goals are coming to fruition thus far.
In the past few weeks, NU has seen multiple things added to enhance athletics at the school.
A designated student section has been created, The Knight Watch.
Tunnels for the athletes, a fog machine, gameday sendoffs, fan giveaways, theme nights, and more. The efforts of creating a true experience for sports on campus are coming together.
Something many have yearned for years is starting to catch fire.
John Krimmel says his end goal: “create an atmosphere that students enjoy, and the community enjoys and wants to come watch.”
Krimmel notes that he wants school spirit to just be a part of the NU experience. Creating pride amongst the NU community and establishing tradition within the new ideas and passion is Krimmel’s vision.
How did this come about? Krimmel came in and noticed the need for enhanced spirit and lack of gameday atmosphere. Taking this and mixing it with his division 1 experience, new ideas like The Knight Watch, were formed.
“We want to become the envy of the Atlantic East Conference,” in reference to the atmosphere in Aston on gamedays, Krimmel suggests, “why not be?”
Krimmel wants the views of Neumann Athletics to shift, he wants no surprise that Neumann is succeeding. “Neumann is in another championship?”
Mentioning how it’s starting already, Krimmel says “another school in the Atlantic East has reached out asking where the tunnel is from.”
The obvious benefit of the new atmosphere is that fans can have more fun, and the athletes feel more supported. Krimmel spoke about the competitive advantage this gives our teams and how this will uplift our athletes and increase performance. However, Krimmel also mentioned how he thinks this will help recruit people.
Athletes will be intrigued by the atmosphere and non-athletes will be excited to participate in such a great atmosphere.
“Kids want to go somewhere they will be supported,” Krimmel emphasized.
The smaller sports at Neumann need support as well, Krimmel mentioned. The goal to create an atmosphere at those events is to identify one competition for every squad to make a spectacle and then grow them from there.
Krimmel notes “our goal is to be intentional early on.”
The goal is to get people involved and hooked with strong efforts out the gate, which Krimmel hopes will help lead to an organic display of fandom and support. The idea is that with a ton of effort up front, people will catch on and create the experience in a much more natural way.
Krimmel wants an enhanced experience for all teams and students on campus. Creating an exciting environment on gamedays as well as a large support system for NU’s athletes. Getting all students involved and keeping them entertained, while giving the athletes an exciting stage to play on.
A more electric and lively NU experience is on the way.
Krimmel sees this taking off and has high hopes. “We could become the Savannah Bananas of division 3 athletics.”
John Krimmel has high hopes for Neumann’s new student section and enhanced gameday experience, and it has been successful to date.
Thus far, the NU community has shown out to and supported the athletic changes.
There have been a number of events surrounding athletics this semester, and several have been a success.
From tunnel entrances to fog machines, to costume filled student sections and Sweet Caroline sing-a-longs, to half-time entertainment and food trucks. The Knight Watch and other experience enhancers have come a long way in such a short time.
Students have supported, teams have flourished.
Many NU students have wanted to support athletics on a larger level but haven’t had the outlet to do so. Until now.
Passion and excitement have lacked in years past. NU students, athletes, and Athletic Director, say no more.
A NU experience is here.
