St. Thomas community members packed O’Shaughnessy Stadium Saturday for their first home football game in 97 weeks. The recorded attendance of 5,051 was the highest number of fans at a home opener for the Tommies since 2014.
After a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans were finally allowed back in the stands. Members of Caruso’s Crew, a group of St. John Vianney students who attend football games in construction outfits and giant oversized tools, led the student section in cheers.
Caruso’s Crew Foreman and Senior Bailey Peterson, who leads the group, said he was excited to be back.
“We’ve been talking about this and thinking about this for almost a month now,” Peterson said. “The first home game was scheduled and then canceled because of COVID. We’ve been trying to rally the troops this weekend, prepping, and taking this as seriously as the football guys do.”
Caruso’s Crew wasn’t the only group in attendance at the game, however.
The Office of Sustainability Initiatives was also out supporting the Tommies, with compost bins available next to the trash and recycling bins. Two members, junior Sarah Scalzo and sophomore Isha Gadkari, attended the game.
“This is the first year that we’re going to be at events, like sporting events, promoting composting,” Scalzo said. “What we’re doing is helping people divert the food waste and help them organize and see how easy composting is.”
Alumni also came out to support the Tommies. 1969 St. Thomas graduate and football alumnus Chas Veluso was in attendance for the DI home opener.
“It looks interesting. There’s a lot of excitement, it seems like, for a regular season game, and I hope it will work out for everybody,” Veluso said.
“It’s been a fun experience.” 1973 graduate Ron Ormberg said.
Jordan McClom, who was visiting as a recruit for St. Thomas, was surprised by the number of fans in attendance.
“The student section is packed, it’s spilling out everywhere,” McClom said. “I didn’t know it was going to be like this, I’m not going to lie.”
As the game wound down, fans reflected on what football brought to them and the St. Thomas community.
“It seems a lot more exciting being back in person this year because freshman year, we didn’t get to be in person,” St. Thomas sophomore Syndey Piper said. “It seems a lot more hype. Division I is a big deal.”
Sophomore Emily Knapp also noticed the difference that sports brought to the school atmosphere.
“It actually feels like we’re in college, compared to like, just in online classes,” Knapp said.
“This is amazing,” junior Nkechukwu Akpati said. “To be back in person, seeing all my people play, so it’s very nice. Feels less of a backpack community now.”
Sophomore Howie Gerstner is excited to see what the rest of the season brings.
“Honestly, seeing our showing so far, obviously we kinda got beaten pretty bad last week,” Gerstner said. “But seeing this game now, I think it’s going to be cool to see. I think we have a shot at a decent record for our first year.”
The Tommies are set to face off against the University of San Diego Saturday, Oct. 2 at 3 p.m. The following week, the Tommies have their homecoming game, on Oct. 9, against Valparaiso University at 1 p.m.
Owen Larson can be reached at lars6521@stthomas.edu.