Point Park Pioneers are living in a rare era that should not be taken for granted.

After years of high rankings atop best-of lists for dancers, singers and other entertainers, our University has the opportunity to support pristine talent in addition to the Conservatory: our student athletes.

The men’s soccer team is currently riding a wave of success rarely seen in recent years. And at the risk of jinxing their undefeated streak, I encourage everyone to get in on the action while they still have the chance. This is our best shot to finally put Point Park on the playoff map.

Of course, the Pioneers have always offered enjoyable and accomplished athletics, including championship-caliber runners and internationally-recognized ball players. But few seasons have provided our community the opportunity to fill the gaping void of one important college experience: an adrenaline-filled football game.

The connection between American football and soccer extends beyond just the translated name. At Highmark Stadium, fans can cheer to the end of the field, tailgate in the parking lot, and embrace an atmosphere that doesn’t exist elsewhere at Point Park.

It’s no secret that traveling to CCAC for a basketball game isn’t the most ideal scenario when we want to maintain school spirit. The off-campus court with another school’s logo painted on the floor should be enough justification to build our new Student Center immediately. But for now, our students can support and scream for a team that is shaping up to be the best in Pittsburgh–regardless of division or classification.

While we don’t yet have drums, flags, air horns and other regalia to intimidate our opponents, we have an untapped resource that can change the energy of an entire school: our student body.

This is a dangerous men’s soccer team that is shaking up the NAIA and knocking off ranked opponents. With the full force of green and gold behind them, our amazing run can only get better.

Most home games are played just across the Smithfield Street Bridge. The distance is short, the weather is nice, and frankly, there’s no excuse to stay on campus unless you’re in class.

Our students pack the Playhouse, GRW, and even Boulevard when there is a showcase or performance. That is a testament to our talent and the support of that talent, and I hope it continues. But do not overlook the other incredible student performances you can support without a script. After all, soccer is the best combination of choreography and improv.

You don’t have to understand the game, and you don’t even have to pay to see it. But I promise that if you come to one of them, you’ll want to come to all of them.

We are a long way from finally celebrating touchdowns as Pioneers, but we can bring college football enthusiasm to a semester that’s already writing itself into the River States Conference history books. We are lucky to have a dedicated, professional venue to play soccer with our city as the backdrop. We are even luckier to have an Athletic Director and Head Coach who have the talent and passion to build our men’s program to where it is today. And we are the luckiest University in Pittsburgh to have a Pioneer soccer team showing us that dominating the season is anything but luck.