Ariana Rodriguez | Staff Writer
It’s time to address a major misconception about FIU, the idea that our entire athletics program is a lost cause just because of our football team’s struggles.
Our football team has had a rough time on the field lately, but FIU is so much more than just its football team, and to focus only on their losses is to miss out on all the other great teams that play for FIU.
Let’s talk about some of the other FIU teams that don’t get the same spotlight.
First up, our men’s soccer team. Last season, they dominated the field, sweeping the competition and putting FIU’s name on the map for collegiate soccer.
These athletes aren’t just competing—they’re winning, consistently.
When I go to a men’s soccer team game I can clearly see a team that plays with precision, passion and pride. It’s the kind of energy that makes you proud to be a Panther, even if soccer isn’t your thing.
And let’s not forget our women’s diving team, home to athletes who have competed and medaled on the Olympic stage.
That’s right, FIU has actual Olympians walking around campus.
These are students who have competed against the best in the world, yet somehow their achievements get lost in the overall student body. In almost any other university setting, Olympic-level talent would be a huge source of pride. But because the football narrative looms so large, these athletes don’t get the attention they deserve.
It’s like having a diamond buried in your backyard and never digging it up—pure wasted potential for school spirit.
And if traditional sports aren’t your thing, just take a look at the esports teams. FIU’s varsity Valorant team and Rocket League team recently won the Battle for Florida, showcasing their skill and putting us at the top of the scoreboard. While it might not make the evening news, our Valorant/RL champions put in just as much time and effort into their craft as any athlete on the field.
What makes this focus on football even more frustrating is that it doesn’t just undermine our sports program, it undermines everything FIU has to offer.
When people outside of the university hear about us, they tend to only hear the negative headlines about our football team’s struggles. But FIU is a diverse, dynamic university with a lot to be proud of, from academics to athletics and beyond.
We’re a university with a thriving arts program, cutting-edge research initiatives and a whole bunch of sports teams that are bringing home wins and trophies.
Yet, for some reason, the conversation always comes back to football.
This isn’t just an athletics issue—it’s a PR problem.
We have Olympic medalists on our swim and diving teams, a soccer team that could go toe-to-toe with any in the conference and even esports players who dominate their competition. But all of these achievements seem to fade into the background when the narrative is constantly brought back to how the football team is doing.
Football is always going to be a major talking point— that’s just how it goes in the world of American sports— but that doesn’t mean it should drown out everything else.
Think of FIU like a buffet. If you only grab the one dish you do like, you’re missing out on the whole spread. And if all people hear about is our football team’s record, they’ll never know what they’re missing.
It’s time we start celebrating the full range of FIU’s talents, instead of letting one struggling team define our entire athletics department. Because when we only focus on one sport, we’re selling ourselves—and our athletes—short.
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The opinions presented on this page do not represent the views of the PantherNOW Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect the perspectives of contributing writers and/or university community members.
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