This week’s editorial comes on the heels of the second heartbreaking loss of our beloved football team. Aside from some unfortunate mistakes, the team shows strength and talent. The games have been exciting to attend, with nail-biting moments and emotional ups and downs. What has been lack-luster, however, is the fans.

On Saturday’s game, the Mavericks suffered the embarrassment of being out-cheered by the visiting team’s fans. The Mountaineers travelled to Stocker Stadium in such force, both in population and vocals, that it felt like a home game for them.

That’s the point of the headline. “Move out,” is not a call to action telling students to leave CMU if they can’t be bothered to attend the games and cheer. “Move out,” means surrendering the ability to call Stocker Stadium “our house.”

It’s only our house if we show up and loudly declare it as such. Otherwise, we’re simply renting it until our landlords, teams like the Mountaineers, show up to collect.

The editors at The Criterion find that notion unacceptable and we are appealing to our fellow Mavericks to do the same.

Instead of showing up to the tailgate to party and then leaving before going to the game, show up in large force and make opponents’ fans have to search hard for seating. Instead of quietly sitting by while students from the visiting school provide a lesson in school spirit, drown them out with cheers for our talented young men on the gridiron.

We should be the twelfth man; rallying the team from the stands. Any competitor can attest that roaring support from fans can greatly enhance the ability to perform. The Mavs need our thundering support to rise to the levels we know they have the capacity to achieve.

Instead of moving out by letting visiting teams take our house away from us, we need to establish our ownership in the stands to help the team establish ownership on the field. This is our house. Let’s Mav-up and charge a heavy toll on those who try to take it away.