By: Autumn Burkholder | Guest Contributor
Students cheering on the softball team at their 2026 Code Red game | University of Lynchburg
A sea of red fills the bleachers, the rhythm of cheers and chants shake the windows, and for two hours, the University of Lynchburg feels like Won Nation.
This combination of chaos and community is a Code Red game.
But while our athletes are celebrated with applause and prizes, other students are warming up for their own “big games” in deserted halls.
To create a home for all students, the University of Lynchburg must expand the Code Red atmosphere beyond the athletic department to celebrate the achievements of the entire student body.
According to the University of Lynchburg, Code Red games were designed by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to “allow the entire Lynchburg athletic department to come together and provide an enthusiastic environment.”
These games are a beautiful display of support that shines a spotlight on every team across campus.
Since there are around 650 student-athletes on campus, they are clearly a visible part of our community.
But when the praise is reserved primarily for the students who wear the jerseys, the university is signaling that other forms of excellence are secondary.
For example, Lynchburg’s event page shows that a Dance Works Showcase is taking place in the Hailey Theatre on Friday, April 24th.
Is this your first time hearing about it?
The students performing have rehearsed for countless hours, yet their event has not been promoted with the same care or intensity as a rivalry game.
By failing to show campus-wide support for the arts and academics, we dismiss an opportunity to engage with the non-athletes on campus who contribute just as much to the university’s culture.
Some may argue that college athletics naturally bring in larger crowds because of their competitiveness, or that the athletic department and teams fund their programs internally.
However, I feel that school spirit should not be diminished by a budget.
If the university can strongly encourage its athletes to attend another team’s game, surely it can encourage them to fill the seats for a theater production or art show.
“I feel like that would be pretty cool and give the school some variety,” Jamarcus Brown, a sophomore dual-sport athlete, said. “It’s good for the whole school to come out.”
The goal is not to take the spotlight away from the athletes, but to allow it to reach beyond them and shine on the entire student body.
Lynchburg takes pride in being a “family.” But a family shows up for more than just the leading scorer; it shows up for the dance recital and spelling bee, too.
By introducing Code Red events for art programs and research studies, we can bridge the gap between Turner Gymnasium and the Dillard Fine Arts Center, and everything in between.
If we want to be a true community, a standing ovation in the theater should be just as loud as the cheers on the field.
