Athletic director Todd Caughlin brought the idea of Athletes Backing Athletes from previous schools he worked at down in the states. He saw the initiative trying to start but it never took off.
“From what I saw, I learned a lot of what not to do to get it going and we have been able to initiate it up here.”
Caughlin has started the program to create a culture of support within every single team. He noticed that most athletes did not know the players on other teams.
“It’s a chance for them to come out and cheer their fellow student athletes and give them what they want when they compete,” said Caughlin. “It’s been a great program and I hope that the athletes keep buying into it.”
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Being a student athlete takes a lot of time management and preparation because you have to balance studying, game time and class time.
“Having [fellow athletes] for support, you can’t ask for anything better. It makes it one big family,” added Caughlin.
Carlos Mena, Kodiaks cross-country runner said it’s a great way to each other on.
“It’s just a way for us to support our fellow Kodiaks and get some wins and hopefully some banners.”
Mena adds the energy Kodiaks athletes bring the audience helps gives teams a boost in confidence.
“It helped pump them up seeing that some of their fellow athletes are cheering them on.”
Fellow runner Janelle Grahom believes support is a two-way street.
“Everyone wants to have a big crowd, why not. You should support other people and get supported.”
Caughlin believes that this will help bring the athletes closer together as the result of a new athletics policy that requires athletes and teams to turn out and support one another.
