Friday, January 16, 2009
It’s as inevitable as hot dogs and fireworks on the Fourth of July that ESPN will do its annual search for the biggest home-court advantage in college basketball. In recent years that search has seemed to favor Duke University’s Cameron Crazies, the student section at the Blue Devils’ Cameron Indoor Stadium.
That’s all well and good, but why shouldn’t the faithful of Allen Fieldhouse get their time in the sun? The University of Kansas is a perennial contender, just like Duke, and tradition flows from the rafters of the “Phog”.
The fans make the games at Allen Fieldhouse special, and with conference play just starting, the Jayhawks need that home-court advantage now more than ever.
Here are three guidelines straight from the student section on how to cheer on the Jayhawks.
1. Get to the game early. That comes straight from the mouth of Mark Pacey, Manhattan graduate student, who helps run a camping group for games at Allen Fieldhouse.
2. Blue is the color. Devin Burns, Wichita sophomore, said, “You definitely have to wear blue. I think that’s pretty assumed.”
3. Make some noise. Paul Brookman, Wichita sophomore, said, “If you’re not loud and crazy and supporting your team, why are you here?”
Other fans covered the intricate details of being a fan. Joseph Louth, St. Louis freshman, recommended bringing a newspaper.
Robel Melessa, Olathe freshman, urged fans to remain silent while the Jayhawks were shooting free throws and reminded fans to stand on the ground, not the bleachers.
Nick Marlo, Overland Park freshman, knows there is no other place to experience a game quite like Allen Fieldhouse.
“If it’s your first time, just drink it in,” he said.
Marlo said he has been lucky enough to know nothing but success in his time at Allen Fieldhouse.
“I’ve never been to a game that we’ve lost, and I’ve been to, probably, over 100 games,” Marlo said.
KU fans have come to picture the Fieldhouse as synonymous with victory. KU’s win against Kansas State marked the team’s 34th consecutive win in Allen Fieldhouse. Even in a year where none of the starters from the national championship team have returned, the Jayhawks handed a loss to the ranked Tennessee Volunteers in Allen Fieldhouse.
On Tuesday night, the KU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee presented athletics director Lew Perkins with a commemorative plaque for leading Time Magazine’s list of top sports executives in 2008. The city of Lawrence was one of the finalists in ESPN’s summer search for Titletown, USA. It’s time the fans get their recognition. This season, if you want the nation to share that view, follow these simple guidelines from fellow fans, and Allen Fieldhouse will surely get noticed in the aforementioned inevitable search.
If you still aren’t sold, just take Fresno, Calif., senior Scott Perlmutter’s view on being a fan to heart.
“It’s made my life worth living,” Perlmutter said.
For the KU masses, basketball games are not just a nightly activity. They are a way of life.
— — Edited by Justin Leverett
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