Fans needed in the stands
Written by Daniel Gunderson Friday, 15 January 2010 08:00
While you were away, stuffing your face with Christmas food and watching “A Christmas Story” for the millionth time, NDSU athletics were still in full force.
Over the break, the men’s basketball team went 1-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play. The women’s basketball team went 4-2 overall, 2-2 in conference play. Both teams ended the break on losing streaks, with the men losing three straight and the women losing two. Now, both teams are back at home for three straight and so are all of you guys.
And what better way to announce our return than going out and supporting the teams this weekend as they host our rival, South Dakota State University?
The Jackrabbits are near the top in the conference in both the men’s and women’s standings. The SDSU women’s team, whom NDSU has not beaten since February 26th, 2005, comes in with a record of 8-8 overall, 4-2 in the conference. More glaring than their .500 record is the two conference losses they have dropped, only the fourth and fifth time they have ever lost in conference play.
The men’s team has, for the most part, overachieved this season with a 9-8 overall record, 5-1 in the conference. Their biggest win of the season, a home victory over Oral Roberts, raised some eyebrows around the league.
With the men set to tip-off tonight and the women tomorrow, this weekend looks to be chalked full of exciting NDSU action. The biggest question is not whether the teams will be ready, but if the fans will be.
I worked for KNDS under the tutelage of Brad Jones. His biggest issue, always, was with the student section during basketball games. He never understood why students did not stand for an entire game.
I have to agree with him. You guys get in for free and have been able to watch a men’s program that made the NCAA tournament last year, and a women’s program that, historically, is one of the best ever. Yet, you find it OK to sit for the entire game. It is obvious to me that students at NDSU have backsides made of steel because sitting on the BSA bleachers for two hours is an event in itself.
How about, for one weekend, we stand the entire game. Do a little cheering, a little yelling, actually get into the game. Try and intimidate SDSU. Don’t worry. Coach Phillips and Coach DeHoff are not going to get upset at you. Heck, they might even join in the yelling part. Let’s get behind our men and women this weekend. Let’s buck the funnies ladies and gentlemen.
