beast of the east
Active member
AS you can probably guess, there was very light attendance in Dayton for the game. Maybe 30 season ticket holders bought game tix from the athletic department from a very small allotment. About another 30 students did also.
Many first of all, these kids each spent a bundle on plane tix - about $500 round trip, and hotel, although I'm sure they put as many as they could in rooms at the Marriott across the street where I stayed. They all said they had season tickets and I recognized some of them. They were seated in front of older fans, and before the game a couple of them turned around and asked us politely, "Do you mind if we stand the entire game? This is what we do."
Not sure how it sounded on TV, but if our support sounded loud, it was entirely these kids screaming, getting the entire SJU contingent on their feet, as well as a shout out to the band who came to cheer as much as they did play. When we fell behind, at the smallest of opportunity they were back up screaming encouragement to our team. The loud "Dee-Fense" chants came from this small group, as did the frequent "Let's go Johnnies".
They weren't obnoxious in the least, and weren't profane at all, which is more than I can say about the 30 something butthead behind us who knew that a Vincentian priest from Philadelphia (and board member) was sitting next to me. He was pretty cool about the whole thing, and another guy who really knows basketball.
Before the game started, I asked the kids if they were the ones who started the "These refs suck" chant at the Xaiver game I think, and one smiled broadly and said, "Yes, that was us and I started it" And they all laughed and were proud at the same time.
I saw them all at the airport this morning (5 AM departure from the hotel), and they filled the flight home in an American commuter jet. Even the morning after another brutal performance by our guys, these kids were measured in their criticism.
I spoke to Mike Cragg before the game and one of his goals is to expand the student fan base, among other things such as improvements to CA. He told me that Duke students never travelled well in the first and second round of the tourney so our kids did pretty well.
I will say this: If Mike needs a starting point for expanding the student fan base, these kids are a great place to start. Without them you wouldn't have knwn any SJU fans showed up, and by them doing so, energized the rest of us, and represented the university admirably. Thanks, guys. You made an otherwise forgettable game memorable.
Also shout out the Paul and Nick, Mike Cragg, and the rest of the athletic department and Bobby G. for hosting a 1st class reception before the game that saw the team off on the bus to the arena. If our program was measured solely by these guys, we'd be in the final 4 each year.
Many first of all, these kids each spent a bundle on plane tix - about $500 round trip, and hotel, although I'm sure they put as many as they could in rooms at the Marriott across the street where I stayed. They all said they had season tickets and I recognized some of them. They were seated in front of older fans, and before the game a couple of them turned around and asked us politely, "Do you mind if we stand the entire game? This is what we do."
Not sure how it sounded on TV, but if our support sounded loud, it was entirely these kids screaming, getting the entire SJU contingent on their feet, as well as a shout out to the band who came to cheer as much as they did play. When we fell behind, at the smallest of opportunity they were back up screaming encouragement to our team. The loud "Dee-Fense" chants came from this small group, as did the frequent "Let's go Johnnies".
They weren't obnoxious in the least, and weren't profane at all, which is more than I can say about the 30 something butthead behind us who knew that a Vincentian priest from Philadelphia (and board member) was sitting next to me. He was pretty cool about the whole thing, and another guy who really knows basketball.
Before the game started, I asked the kids if they were the ones who started the "These refs suck" chant at the Xaiver game I think, and one smiled broadly and said, "Yes, that was us and I started it" And they all laughed and were proud at the same time.
I saw them all at the airport this morning (5 AM departure from the hotel), and they filled the flight home in an American commuter jet. Even the morning after another brutal performance by our guys, these kids were measured in their criticism.
I spoke to Mike Cragg before the game and one of his goals is to expand the student fan base, among other things such as improvements to CA. He told me that Duke students never travelled well in the first and second round of the tourney so our kids did pretty well.
I will say this: If Mike needs a starting point for expanding the student fan base, these kids are a great place to start. Without them you wouldn't have knwn any SJU fans showed up, and by them doing so, energized the rest of us, and represented the university admirably. Thanks, guys. You made an otherwise forgettable game memorable.
Also shout out the Paul and Nick, Mike Cragg, and the rest of the athletic department and Bobby G. for hosting a 1st class reception before the game that saw the team off on the bus to the arena. If our program was measured solely by these guys, we'd be in the final 4 each year.
