October-fest

By Alex McArthy

Fall, simply put, is the most underrated season. Winter has its big holidays and the white-fluffy goodness that falls from the sky. Spring is exciting. With warmth on the way, plants take new roots and animals come back out from their three-month vacation. Obviously, summer is the most popular season. Warm weather, BBQ’s, and the beach are all things that make summer so well-liked. So what about fall? A careful look around campus and you can find out why fall is so magnificent.

The most palpable aspect is the color of the leaves during this season. Our campus has a mix of trees allowing for an amazing view of the different colors. Huge oaks and maples that have been around before decades, as well as various species of younger trees canvas the university grounds.

Fall is the perfect medium between summer and spring. Never too hot or too cold (even though it is a little cooler this year), fall allows you a last hint of warmth and a view of the cold that is about to come. On campus, the air seems clean and crisp during the fall.

The various animals around campus are much more active now, desperately stuffing themselves in time for Old Man Winter. Students can be seen feeding the squirrels, fish, and geese by Lake Marion, which will be soon frozen over.

Fall festivals are some of the most popular, like the Celtic Pride Fest, and Country Music Festival in Grant Park. On campus events like Cougar Palooza, and the many tail-gates before the football games in Lot 1, give fall a very festive feel.

All this natural splendor of fall goes hand-in-hand with the sports. Fall, and October in particular, is arguably the best time for sports enthusiasts. In October football, is at its best, teams have an identity, with a record to support it, but there still is enough to for anything to happen. Baseball is in playoff mode, and as a Cardinal fan I am going crazy over this year’s line-up. As for hockey fans, the new season still in its first few weeks promises to be a memorable one.

SXU’s athletics are just as exciting. If you have been following along with Mark Siefert’s blogs, you know that this is a promising year. Our fall sports are in full swing. All are contenders in their conference, vying for a spot in the post-season.

One cannot argue that fall is special season, one in which sports, academics, and nature are all at their peak. With Halloween around the corner, and Thanksgiving after that, fall here on campus just happens to be my favorite season.

Alex McArthy is a sophomore political science major from St. Louis, Missouri. He is an RHA National Communications Coordinator, president of the Cougar Crazies, a Public Safety supervisor and an SXU Student Ambassador. Consideration for the student bloggers is provided by Saint Xavier University.