With its 92-76 victory against UConn on Monday afternoon, the women's basketball team earned the right to call itself No. 1. When the new polls come out next week, Notre Dame's assent to the top of the women's basketball world will be official and the sign at the top of Grace Hall will once again announce that Notre Dame is No. 1.

Now that the hard work of the women's basketball team has resulted in a No. 1 ranking. It is time that the students of Notre Dame show their appreciation for the women's basketball team.

Before Monday's sell-out game, the student support for women's basketball was pathetic at best. While there were several diehard fans who came to every game and cheered every Irish win, the student section was mostly empty.

This has to change. Notre Dame once again has a No. 1 team on campus and the students should show their appreciation. I would hope that Notre Dame students would have enough spirit to support all their teams regardless of record but I would be appalled if Notre Dame students don't come out and support an undefeated top-ranked team.

But this past fall proved that most Notre Dame students do not appreciated their athletic teams enough to walk across campus to cheer at home games.

The last time Grace Hall was adorned with the No. 1 sign was when the women's soccer team held the top ranking last fall. Despite their hard work, talent and exciting home victories against top teams like Nebraska and Santa Clara, the women's soccer team was practically ignored by the student body.

While the residents of South Bend recognized the high caliber of soccer at Alumni Field by showing up and cheering, the student body was noticeably absent along the sidelines. As proud representatives of this University, every athletic team deserves the respect and support of the student body. The women's soccer team especially deserved this support.

Led by Herman Trophy winner — the Heisman Trophy of women's soccer — Anne Makinen, the women's soccer team completed an undefeated season despite losing five starters to graduation from the 1999 team.

Not until the NCAA tournament rolled around did Notre Dame students finally come out and support the women's soccer team. Not until there were only a few home games left for the Irish seniors, did the Notre Dame students finally show some support for them.

But still some many students never got to see Anne Makinen, Kelly Lindsey, Meotis Erikson and the rest of the Irish seniors play on Alumni Field. They never went out and thanked them for their hard work and dedication.

Don't let Ruth Riley, Kelly Siemon and Niele Ivey graduate without cheering their efforts. Make sure you let them know you appreciate their dedication to making Notre Dame the best. There are no excuses for not attending at least one of the last four home games.

The games are free; they are on campus; and you are almost guaranteed to see a win.

Come out and support the Irish, they've earned it.

• We're No. 1- Start acting like it