For the past few weeks I have taken it upon my duty as an American citizen to tune into NBC, cheering on the red, white and blue in various Olympic events. Somewhere between synchronized diving and the women's marathon I realized that most people probably aren't watching for the sports themselves. As much as you may argue, I don't believe that badminton is really all that intense of an athletic activity.

The Olympics represent so much more than athletic competition. Of course the athletes have worked hard training to compete in their various sports, and I can't help but be impressed by their demanding schedules and physical shape (I don't think there is a female in the United States who hasn't enjoyed watching men's swimming events, not to mention the ripped bodies that go with them). But to me, what the Olympics really come down to, what the athletes really represent, is pride.

So once every four years, the entire world puts aside its differences (well, most of the time) and comes together for friendly competition. Some of the events are a little bizarre. But the feeling those athletes get on top of the podium is the same — no matter whether it's for archery or water polo. An Olympic gold medal, one of the most coveted prizes in the world, represents the same hard work and strength for every country. And no matter what sport, if "The Star Spangled Banner" is playing at the end of the match it's hard for the Americans in the audience to keep from tearing up. The intensity that comes from representing an entire country is pretty overwhelming.

I admit, I never thought I would get all that into watching 16-year-old girls flipping around on a mat or a bunch of guys in Speedos doing the breaststroke. Not when I'm used to watching the usual ESPN coverage of football or basketball games.

Yet I found myself yelling at the judges that the Chinese gymnast with 50 barrettes in her hair was not 16. When Michael Phelps and the relay team managed to put the French in their place by fractions of a second, I actually leapt off my couch cheering with enthusiasm. Not because I have suddenly become a huge swimming fan, but because my country's team had come out on top, and I was proud of them.

The Olympics have ended, and the brief connection and rivalry we have with our fellow countries is put to sleep for another few years. After a few weeks the household names of Michael Phelps and Shawn Johnson won't be spoken quite as often.

But now we are presented with a new opportunity to unify as we come back to campus, this time cheering for the Hokies instead of good 'ol USA. For many people, fall semester means not only the start of classes, but also the beginning of football season. I know that I don't have to convince many students to spend their Saturday afternoons at Lane Stadium: scrambling to find tickets to a full stadium is hard enough as it is.

What I would like to see is student attendance at athletic events that thousands of people don't usually show up for. Get your hall together and go to a women's soccer game. Maybe you aren't that into volleyball, but I bet you watched beach volleyball during the Olympics, so continue it. Or go see a sport maybe you haven't watched before — I'm planning on checking out a lacrosse game in the spring.

Like the Olympics, watching Hokie sports isn't just about the game itself. It's about wearing maroon and orange, chanting "Let's Go Hokies" at the top of your lungs, and cheering on the softball player who sits next to you in English class.

In the same way that watching the Olympics makes me proud to be an American, watching Hokie sports makes me proud to be a student at Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech's school spirit rivals any other college in the country. We have proven time and time again that we love being Hokies. So support your school and fellow classmates, and not just at football games but all athletic events.

For that matter, go to non-athletic student events too. Attend speakers that your peers have worked hard to get to campus. Check out the student-run XYZ art gallery. Donate time to a fraternity or sorority philanthropy event. The list of shows and exhibits put on by students are everywhere on our campus-everything from art, dance and theatre to research and athletics.

There are countless ways to show Hokie pride besides just wearing a VT shirt to class. In the process, you might stumble upon enjoying something you didn't think you would. I mean, who know I would become such a huge swimming fan?

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