With San Diego State’s recent capture of the Mountain WestConference Tournament and advance to the NCAA tournament for thefirst time in 17 years, some say it’s no surprise that students havecaught a fever — fan fever.
“Now there’s something for the students and the general public tofeel proud about and to take pride in,” Athletics Director ofMarketing and Promotions Steve Schnall said.
More students than ever supported the men’s basketball team thisseason, leaving
attendance up 135.4 percent from the last two years, and up 36.1percent from last season.
The number of fans is related to the team’s success, Schnall said.People like to watch a team win, and there tends to be a dominoeffect that happens when a team wins.
The team finished up this season 21-12, and this season’s averagegame attendance hit a high of 6,165.
Average game attendance for the 2000-2001 season was 4,528,compared to 2,618 the season before.
“When you think about the fact that two years ago, we only hadfive wins, there wasn’t much to cheer about,” said Schnall, who hopesnext season’s average game attendance will be in the 7,500 to 8,000range.
With the increased attendance comes a great deal of Aztec pride,and students are beginning to care more about sports, politicalscience senior Catherine Hansen said.
The fans consist of students, alumni and a fair amount of youngkids, who, with the help of the band and cheerleaders, motivate theplayers and also entertain each other, Hansen said.
Now that things are really starting to get exciting, the studentsare getting energized and are louder, rowdier and more creative,Schnall said. This creates a fun environment, which is importantbecause it makes people want to come back to future games.
The avid fans arrive with their faces painted, and even wearpersonalized shirts and ‘fro wigs.
“The students set the tempo for the whole crowd, and when they getinto it, everyone does,” Schnall said.
Students like public administration junior Tony Cesano followedthe team to Las Vegas to witness its 78-75 defeat of UNLV, whichadvanced San Diego State to the NCAA tournament.
“You have to support your team in a big game like that,” Cesanosaid. “We didn’t even think twice about going.”
Some alumni, who had the option of taking a bus to Las Vegas,joined the students there.
“It’s nice to have the alumni be a part,” Hansen said. “It wasgreat to see so many students there and get to celebrate together.
For anyone who was there, that memory will stay with them forever,Schnall said.
“The fans have been there this year, and the fans will be therenext year,” Schnall said. “Now we’re starting to get that traditionfor a basketball program.”
