Silence of the fans

By Kelly Spencer

Dwindling student attendance at athletic events is a growing problem at colleges around the nation and with the 2003 regular season underway, Santa Clara men's basketball is proving to be no exception.

"Every school in the country is facing the same battle to try to regain interest for college students in their athletics programs regardless of how good the teams are or what the sport is," said Santa Clara Associate Athletic Director Richard Kilwien. "Years ago people went to school, and you bled your alma mater. You came to the games, you supported the team win or lose and you either went out after the game and cried about the loss or you rejoiced over the win. That was the culture at the time."

Kilwien attributed part of the problem to an increase in alternative entertainment options, noting that a sports fan can watch a variety of televised match-ups on any given night.

Efforts to alleviate this problem include increasing communication outlets between Santa Clara's athletic department and students.

Ruff Riders, the Santa Clara sports club with over 1,200 members, is an example of beefing up communication. One of the perks for members is free admission to all home sporting events. Wearing black long sleeve Ruff Rider T-shirts, members are guaranteed some of the best courtside seats in the house, providing they arrive by tip-off. During last Wednesday's season home opener against the University of San Francisco, the section was near empty. Ruff Riders Co-President Chris Bucka suggested that a lack of school spirit is part of the problem.

"It takes a lot to motivate students at this school," said Bucka. "It's been difficult for us to muster up support. In my personal opinion it's not seen as the most popular thing to do."

Ruff Rider member John Riehl, a regular attendee at men's basketball games during the past three years, agreed.

"I don't think it's that big on campus," said Riehl, noting that Division I basketball is exciting and entertaining to watch.

Both Bucka and Kilwien are developing new promotional strategies to increase student presence at athletic events. If the Santa Clara women's basketball team scores seven three-pointers during a home game, Mondo Burrito will give a free burrito to all fans present. This season, students who have attended at least there men's basketball games will be entered in a drawing for a chance to make a three-point shot and win a car.

Despite increased incentives to attend games, Kilwien is quick to add that marketing can only do so much to impact school pride.

"The pure natural emotion of students at the game is really sometihng you can't bottle, you can't manufacture it," said Kilwien. "People should have a certain amount of pride in where they go to school."

Students and coaches and players alike recognize that a winning team can make a huge difference.

"Ultimately it comes back on us," said sophomore guard Ethan Rohde. "Obviously we'd like to sell out every game but you can't expect fans to come out if it's not entertaining or the team's not winning."

But Bucka and Kilwien agree that winning games and increasing student presence are depended on each other.

"It's the age old question," said Kilwien, noting that although students will attend if the team is winning because the game will be more exciting, students must initially be supportive. "The team is going to require student support to create a home court advantage so we can win games so it can attract better recruits so we can elevate our postion in the conference."

Steve Seandel, associate head coach for the men's basketball team, believes Santa Clara's first two home games exemplify this theory. The team was defeated by USF, playing to a somewhat modest student turnout. Saturday night's victory over Saint Mary's enjoyed a larger and louder audience.

"I think it plays a larger role than people assume it to be," said junior center Jim Howell. "It's such a stimulant, especially in the beginning and at halftime."

Rohde agrees that the presence and emotion of student fans can impact the performance of players.

"It's so much easier to get up for games when the crowd is loud and the gym is hot," said Rohde.

Kevin Edwards, a Santa Clara junior who attend home games wearing blue tights, red shorts, a Santa Clara flag for a cape and covered in red paint cheers on Santa Clara athletics "mostly because it's fun and to support my classmates."

A member of Santa Clara men's cross country team, Edwards dresses up so "people will notice I am at every game and hopefully that will encourage other people to go. Going to games is cool."

For Santa Clara guaduates, Edwards stirs up memories of a time when students consistently supported the team. 2002 Santa Clara guaduate Patrick Logan, Jr., whose father graduated from Santa Clara in 1974, has been attending games since the early '80s. Logan recalls loud and overwhelming games that were sold out, particularly during the career of current NBA player Steve Nash.

"As a student I attended games regularly but I probably went more before college," said Logan. "The student section was behind the cheerleaders then and it was always full."

Said Kilwien, "I think there's no question that a star player, someone with marquee value, puts people in the stands.

"Students create the atmosphere at the games. If you've got a thousand students at the games and they're jumping up and down and screamin' and yellin' - what an incredible environment that is."

Seandel, who has been coaching at Santa Clara for 11 years, recognizes that big names and big games draw fans but mentioned the mixed emotions of frustration and appreciation players experience when everyone arrives for the Gonzaga game.

"From out standpoint the more people we can have there the better," said Seandel. "But as a player, you'd like to have a more consistent turnout."

As the season continues, the effects of pumped-up promotional efforts, courtside student seating and painted fans will undoubtedly grow apparent - for better or worse. The basketball teams are hoping for the better.