2008 Woodie Awards
Commentary: Hens home court is lacking
by Sarah Lipman
Issue date: 3/16/07 Section: Online
A sports team doesn't just consist of players.
It includes coaches, managers, doctors, substitutes and perhaps most importantly - the fans. Nothing riles up a team more than the roar of an enthusiastic crowd proudly displaying its colors and logos.
Unfortunately, university students did not deliver their end of the deal last Saturday, at the No. 3 Hens' Colonial Athletic Association tournament semifinal game against No. 2 James Madison.
The Hens' 67-56 loss to the Dukes, despite the home court advantage, was a disappointment to the Newark community that came out to support the team in the stands. Where, however, were the throngs of students crowding the Cockpit, raising their hands and voices shouting "LET'S GO BLUE HENS" on a day where fans could not be more vital to a team?
Officers of the Cockpit tried to garner support for the Hens by passing out more than 1,000 T-shirts and yellow wigs for two days leading up to the CAA tournament, encouraging students to wear them in pride, Cockpit officer Mark Novello said. Not many put on that uniform; however, as an estimated 250 to 300 students attended the game, not including the pep band.
Approximately 300 of roughly 16,000 students at the university attended the Delaware semi-final game; that's pathetic.
Throughout the season, the Hens, despite their excellent record, struggled to come bring in fans to support them game after game. It was not until the end of the season, Novello said, that the number of students in the Cockpit increased to roughly 100.
At other universities across the country, teams thrive on their student section's chants and rituals that occur at the start of each game. At every Hofstra game, students pretend to read newspapers while the opponent is announced. When the Pride takes the court, fans go wild - hoarse from cheering by the final score.
The flow of energy from the crowd to the players makes a game more exciting for all parties involved. Players are appreciative, which in turn makes them play harder. This causes the fans to cheer more intensely - thus entering a vicious, but beneficial cycle.
It includes coaches, managers, doctors, substitutes and perhaps most importantly - the fans. Nothing riles up a team more than the roar of an enthusiastic crowd proudly displaying its colors and logos.
Unfortunately, university students did not deliver their end of the deal last Saturday, at the No. 3 Hens' Colonial Athletic Association tournament semifinal game against No. 2 James Madison.
The Hens' 67-56 loss to the Dukes, despite the home court advantage, was a disappointment to the Newark community that came out to support the team in the stands. Where, however, were the throngs of students crowding the Cockpit, raising their hands and voices shouting "LET'S GO BLUE HENS" on a day where fans could not be more vital to a team?
Officers of the Cockpit tried to garner support for the Hens by passing out more than 1,000 T-shirts and yellow wigs for two days leading up to the CAA tournament, encouraging students to wear them in pride, Cockpit officer Mark Novello said. Not many put on that uniform; however, as an estimated 250 to 300 students attended the game, not including the pep band.
Approximately 300 of roughly 16,000 students at the university attended the Delaware semi-final game; that's pathetic.
Throughout the season, the Hens, despite their excellent record, struggled to come bring in fans to support them game after game. It was not until the end of the season, Novello said, that the number of students in the Cockpit increased to roughly 100.
At other universities across the country, teams thrive on their student section's chants and rituals that occur at the start of each game. At every Hofstra game, students pretend to read newspapers while the opponent is announced. When the Pride takes the court, fans go wild - hoarse from cheering by the final score.
The flow of energy from the crowd to the players makes a game more exciting for all parties involved. Players are appreciative, which in turn makes them play harder. This causes the fans to cheer more intensely - thus entering a vicious, but beneficial cycle.
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