Being a basketball fan at a Pac-10 school not named Arizona, UCLA, or Stanford can be frustrating. Traditionally, this conference does not have a history of basketball rivalries or strong programs, with the exception of the schools listed above. And when I say history, I'm looking right at you, UCLA.
Why are we faced with this problem? It could be that by the time Pac-10 games begin, most of America has already gone to sleep. Maybe it is because the Pac-10 is the only major conference in the West, leaving us without competition or inter-conference rivalries.
Whatever the reason, there could be a million excuses for an empty student section at Wells Fargo Arena during ASU men's basketball games. After all, the Sun Devils are 8-8 overall and 2-5 in conference play, and the Phoenix area provides far more activities for college students than say Pullman, Washington.
So why is the student section full every game? Because ASU is a good basketball school, and the students do care about their team.
As a student at ASU, you have the privilege of taking part in a raucous student section. It is located right next to the visitor bench, perfect positioning for student seating. Some arenas in this league sit their students in the upper deck, virtually ensuring minimal student participation. And why are those students punished with poor seats? So the school can make more money selling the seats as season tickets.
We are also blessed with a coach who stands up for the students. After Arizona Head Coach Lute Olson pointed to the scoreboard during the ASU-Arizona tilt on January 3, prompting student section chants, ASU Coach Rob Evans defended the students, saying "I'm really proud of our students. I certainly don't think it's proper for our students to do anything out of line. They didn't throw anything. Nothing was done until it was provoked."
Some may say the ACC has the best and most creative fans, but just last week Maryland fans embarrassed themselves and their school by chanting obscenities during the school's game against rival Duke.
We may be a little disorganized at times, but there are people who want to make a difference.
Freshman Craig Norgren and his friends wear ties to the games in an effort to stand out as college basketball fans. They encourage everyone to join them as "Tie Guys" at Sun Devil basketball games. Just because you see someone wearing something different or unique in the student section doesn't mean you can't copy it. That's what a student section is all about.
I remember a game against UC-Riverside early in the season. There weren't many people there because the fall semester had just ended. That didn't stop an abbreviated group of Sun Devil faithful from making a difference. UC-Riverside forward Nate Carter caught the attention of the student section and was heckled the entire game. The ASU fans kept the chants clean, and after the game, Carter turned to the student section and gave them a thumbs-up.
Thumbs-up, ASU, for keeping the student section filled and the spirit alive so far this season. With your support, it may get the attention it deserves.
Reach the reporter at nicholas.kramer@asu.edu.
