Friar Basketball

Wake Up the Students

studentsection

Right around this time last year, I posted an article titled “Where Are the Students?”. In writing that article I did not bring up anything new. Nothing that hadn’t already been spoken about. Nothing innovative or novel. Rather the goal in writing that piece was to reinforce change that needs to happen. Change that Ed Cooley is relying on. Change that his players are relying on. Change that Providence College is relying on.

Plain and simple, the Dunkin’ Donuts Center can be a tough place for opponents to play in. Can, being the key word here.

Each and every year, usually right in the middle of October, Providence College students fill Mullaney Gymnasium at Alumni Hall to its maximum capacity. Perhaps even over its’ capacity. The result? Absolute hysteria.

Where does that excitement and jubilance go after that night? Sure, Late Night Madness serves as the kick-off to the basketball season. Sure, this past year’s Madness included former NBA player Jalen Rose and Hip Hop star Big Sean. Sure, many students probably went because they had a friend performing in one of the many club dance routines. The real reason why students storm Alumni Hall every October though, is bigger than all the reasons listed above. Students attend because… “Everyone is going.”

Why then is it nearly impossible to recreate the “Madness” that we see every mid-October for each and every home game? It’s time to make PC home games an event that “Everybody” goes to.

Prior to the home opener against Albany, the Providence College Athletic Department announced that they had nearly sold the most student season tickets for any season in school history. Great news at the time. Since? Attendance has been below average and more importantly the passion and loudness coming from the student section has been library level at best.

hentonharriscarsonThe Friars are 17-7, 7-4 in Big East play and are well on their way to making their second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. Senior forward, LaDontae Henton is the 14th leading scorer in the entire country and is tops in the Big East at 20.4 points a game. Sophomore Kris Dunn, is climbing NBA mock draft boards faster than students want to leave Civ class and Carson Desrosiers ranks top 10 nationally in blocks per game.

Where have the students been though? Yes, some of them have showed up, but the majority of student designated seats have been empty for most of the season. That needs to change.

ESPN’s Jeff Goodman recently released his Top 10 Most Hostile Environments in college basketball. As you may have guessed, it was filled with Cameron Indoor Stadium (Duke), Rupp Arena (Kentucky), Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas) and many others.What may surprise you, are some of the other venues that made the list.

McCarthey Athletic Center or Koch Arena, ever heard of them?

The first is home to the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the second to Wichita St. Two schools who don’t benefit from a high major conference, don’t compete with an NBA team in their home state and also primarily focus on their basketball program. Sound familiar?

While Wichita St.’s undergraduate student body is significantly larger than PC’s, Gonzaga sits right in about the same ball park as Providence College. With 4,896 undergraduates and a home arena that seats just 6,000, Gonzaga has created a brand for itself – Arguably the best team outside of all the power conferences over the past twenty years. How have they done that? A great coach in Mark Few, loyal too. Talented players throughout the years, John Stockton, Adam Morrison, Kelly Olynyk – Just to name a few. And lastly, a passionate and dedicated following.

Providence College has 2 and 2/3’s of that. Ed Cooley has pledged his allegiance to PC numerous times and gave Friar Fans their first Big East Tournament Championship in just his third year at the helm. The current team is led by two players who could very well be in the discussion for All-American awards by season’s end in LaDontae Henton & Kris Dunn. And lastly, public support has been phenomenal over the years. Providence College basketball is Rhode Island’s professional team and residents of the Ocean State and bordering New England states understand that. The 1/3 piece that is missing though, are the students.

The Providence Journal’s Kevin McNamara weighed in on the impact a student section should have by saying, “College basketball is an environment sport and a game without a large and loud student section is simply a missed opportunity for the home team. If you are a basketball school, you have to have a great, consistent student section. Period.”

In support of McNamara’s comment, the student section can have a profound impact on the result of a game. And secondly, on any given night, the PC coaching staff could be hosting top tier recruits who have shown interest in attending PC. If you were a high school basketball player who was considering PC, what would you think if you looked over at the student section and saw no enthusiasm?

cooleytrophyStudents must realize what they have in a coach like Ed Cooley. Former PC coaches like Keno Davis and Tim Welsh were hardly ever seen walking through Ray Cafeteria, sparking conversations with students. They weren’t engaged with the student body like Coach Cooley is, and it’s not even close. They likely cared about students, but not nearly as much. In a span of four years, he has changed the culture of the men’s basketball program and we are now beginning to see the impact that has on the court. Last season, PC won it’s first Big East Tournament championship in twenty years. Who would have thought that was possible just four years ago? The program was in shambles, to put it lightly.

Now though, the Friars are in a great position and they could be in a whole lot better position if students do their part. If students could somehow generate the same energy level seen every Late Night Madness, ESPN would be hard-pressed to leave PC out of the Top 10 Most Hostile Environments in the country.

Why not use Wednesday night’s game against Top 10 ranked Villanova as a springboard to making that happen?

Think about all the reasons students haven’t gone to a lot of games this year for a moment:

1. Too much homework?
2. Not a basketball fan?
3. The couch/bed is too comfortable to leave?
4. Don’t want to spend money on tickets?
5. Having to take a shuttle to the Dunk’ is annoying?

If they have been going to games, think about why the student section hasn’t been that impactful:

1. The opponent isn’t that good so there is no reason to be excited?
2. There’s no organized chants to follow?
3. Just don’t care enough to be loud and enthusiastic?
4. Only go because their parents paid for season tickets and they don’t want the tickets to go to waste?
5. They care more about the party they are heading to later on?

Students should use Wednesday’s game as a test. A game to redefine what it means to be a Friar Fanatic.

Attending PC home games is not that much of a time commitment. The school provides transportation to and from the Dunk’ and offers tickets at very reasonable prices. Students must take advantage of this and support Ed Cooley and the Friars.

Change is in order and the students can make it happen. If students pack the student section at the Dunk’ to it’s full capacity and only remain quiet during the National Anthem, I promise that they will want a second helping (and many more). Villanova comes in as the best team in the Big East and is ranked #7 in the nation. Students will be needed more than ever.

Time spent at PC will not last forever. It is a quick four years. Student’s can’t let excuses keep them from supporting their school and a team that has a great chance at making a deep NCAA Tournament run. Go watch LaDontae Henton and Kris Dunn before they’re gone. Be a part of PC’s strong basketball tradition and make every visiting team’s time in Providence an absolute nightmare. Make homes games something that ‘Everybody does’. Be the sixth man. Be Friar Fanatics.

Here is your opportunity students, fill that arena like it is Late Night Madness and absolutely blow the roof off!

To help prove that student’s really do have an impact on the team as well as recruiting, I gathered quotes from a handful of former players and people close to the program:

driscoll

 

 

 

“When our student section is full and they are passionate about the game from the opening tip, everyone in the Dunk feeds off of their energy. When they are all in, the Dunk’ becomes one of the toughest places to play in the nation.”

bancroft

 

 

 

“The energy from the student section gives us that extra push in close games and really motivates us to work harder.”

mcgrath

 

 

 

“During my years at Providence the most exciting home games were when the crowd was the most into it, those were always the games when the students showed up in full force. Providence can be such a tough place for opponents to come in and play in. When the students are in attendance, that extra 6th man means a lot and can make a real difference in some games. I’ve had friends from other schools that I played against in college, that I see now professionally, talk about how hard it was to come play at Providence when our fans were in full force.”

gomes

 

 

 

“The student support for the team is a huge deal for the Friars. Seeing your classmates screaming, yelling, painted faces, wearing t-shirts, etc. As players you enjoy it and want to perform for them, your teammates and of course PC Alumni and the city! Go Friars!”

rooke

 

 

 

“Home court advantage is everything in this league.  Traditionally through the years, Dunk crowds have always been among the least favorite crowds for opposing teams to have to deal with.  The louder and more obnoxious, the better.  Anytime you can get the opponent worried about the fans, rather than worry about the game?  That’s half the battle won.  Providence has a good team, and good teams come into the Dunk all the time now – student support for their school, and their classmates, should be automatic!”

croshere

 

 

 

“One of the best parts of my time as an athlete at PC was the environment created by the fans and in particular the student body at the Civic Center. There is nothing like seeing the crowd go crazy after your team goes on a big run or the anticipation of beating a rival in the closing moments. I was fortunate to be a part of three huge wins over top ten teams on our home court, the students rushing the court in those games are still some of my fondest memories as a college athlete. This years Friars team is as exciting a group that has ever played at PC and is more than deserving of student support. Give it to them and I know it will enhance your college experience and maybe end in a chance of your own to storm the court.”

hassett

 

 

 

“As a player, having fellow classmates at the games was huge. The energy from students means a lot. They make the building feel exciting. Students can also change the momentum, which will help the home team.”

mills

 

 

 

“It’s important for the student body to support the team because it’s a reflection of school pride. As a basketball player at PC I represented the school every time I played, walked into the city and even playing pro basketball. It’s a fraternity and it’s important that all the members who can attend to do so. Going to Providence College is an honor and the students are in the driver seat, therefore it’s important that they are involved with everything. They bring the energy to the games because they know the players first hand and give players the extra energy that is needed to overcome anything. Students should look at the games like it’s supporting their extended family because when you attend PC that is what you become. PC alumni are all my second family, anywhere that I may come across them I have always treated them as such.”

batts

 

 

 

“The support of the students at the games meant the difference between winning or losing close games. I always loved looking up into the student section and seeing fans going crazy! It gets you hyped!”

grigsby

 

 

 

“Student participation is a key ingredient to the thriving of Friartown. As one who’s duty it is to create and sustain a culture of excitement, I can tell you how much of an asset the students are when present.”

nap

 

 

 

“Students mean so much in creating the atmosphere at the Dunk. They create the tempo for the rest of the fans. When you look at when we are on nationally televised games and the student section is packed, it makes Providence look like a bigtime basketball school. That is so important for many reasons.”

Email Craig – craig.belhumeur@friarbasketball.com
On Twitter – @Craig_Belhumeur

78 Comments

  1. Scott LeProhon

    February 8, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    Let’s go FRIARS!

  2. Mike LeClair

    February 8, 2015 at 7:54 pm

    You can never have enough in the student section

  3. Tom Zwolenski

    February 8, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    Take tips from your rivals in Kingston!

  4. John Colasanto

    February 8, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    This has been going on since after the ’97 season. Apparently the athletic dept needs to give the tix for free to students…or give them free food vouchers. There has to be a way to get them there…

  5. Kathleen Pantaleo

    February 8, 2015 at 8:02 pm

    #foreverfriar

  6. Dan Pellegrino

    February 8, 2015 at 8:06 pm

    I have seats a section over from the students and they are an embarrassment to the team, the fans and the city itself.

  7. Shannon Sweeney Saunders

    February 8, 2015 at 8:07 pm

    Make them affordable! In 1977, season tickets for students were $7.00. Each end of the court was packed with students! Transportation was provided as well.

  8. Chris Primini

    February 8, 2015 at 8:12 pm

    Spot on. Some of the worst student fans for ANY program. I see more support at a DII game. Kids today are just too busy hooking up and posting on social media to care about the schools’ athletics. Bottom line it’s generational, nothing to do with cost, transportation or anything else.

  9. Jeff Hoyle

    February 8, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    In all honesty, the drunken adults sitting near us are often louder than the student section. Wake up students! Rock the dunk.

  10. David Randall

    February 8, 2015 at 8:16 pm

    Got a good team now, they need to show more support!!!!

  11. Chris Primini

    February 8, 2015 at 8:16 pm

    Let’s donate more as alumni and maybe they can level Schneider and rebuild it as a 7-8k multi purpose arena. Academic improvements are great and the school is practically unrecognizable since 1997. It’s time to make this work.

  12. Kevin Roe

    February 8, 2015 at 8:17 pm

    This is the result of all the games on tv. Also doesn’t help some of them start at 9. When I was there if you wanted to see the games you had to be at the dunk.

  13. Pam Greene

    February 8, 2015 at 8:17 pm

    GREAT ARTICLE!!!! As a PC Alum…& frequent attendee of both PC bball & hockey games it is EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING the students do not attend!!! It’s a DISGRACE!!!! The hockey arena is right on campus & the student section is frequently very empty!!!!
    COME ON current PC students!!!! SUPPORT YOUR SCHOOL!!!!! LETS GO FRIARS!!!!!

  14. Dan Mahoney

    February 8, 2015 at 8:18 pm

    Now it’s $8.00 a game

  15. Mike Mckenna

    February 8, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    I agree!!! Let’s go kids!!!

  16. Lou Zullo

    February 8, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    Somehow the students go from not attending to very participatory alums attendance wise

  17. Tom Allard

    February 8, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    If the administration really cared about the students they would move the students down close to the floor where they can actually make a difference and they should be at the end of the floor where the visitors shoot in the 2nd half. It is also not fair to compare our student section to schools with an on campus facility. Personally, the season ticket holders who sit on their hands and leave games early to “beat the traffic” should be ashamed of themselves. Go Friars!

  18. Erik Holstius

    February 8, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    Its not jus the students the whole crowd sucks sometimes..get louddd

  19. Bill Howard

    February 8, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    Not defending the poor student turnout but how many students attending every game would have an impact? 2,000? That would be impressive…it would also require 1/2 the entire student body to attend. Not likely.

  20. John Colasanto

    February 8, 2015 at 8:48 pm

    Turn off the game at mcphails

  21. Ryan Smith

    February 8, 2015 at 9:06 pm

    I’m a uri alum and I’m at every PC game (in my paid ticket)… SAD. Step up students

  22. Rick Sousa

    February 8, 2015 at 9:07 pm

    The Students need to wake up, show support and follow there team

  23. Rick Sousa

    February 8, 2015 at 9:08 pm

    I’ve been to about 6 games and its embarrassing, look at Xavier yesterday.

  24. Sean Rainey

    February 8, 2015 at 9:12 pm

    They a are set up on wrong end of court. They should be closer and at the visiting end so they can cheer louder when needed.

  25. Sean Rainey

    February 8, 2015 at 9:12 pm

    Tom I agree

  26. Jeremy Nunes

    February 8, 2015 at 9:16 pm

    I sit in section 125 every game. The students are literally in front of me. While there are definitely some who go there to make noise there are many who are staring at their cell phones throughout the game. It is disappointing to see a lot of the kids disinterested. When they are there and loud it completely changes the game and the teams performance. I have a feeling they will be in full force and loud vs Villanova but what about against Seton Hall, Marquette and Butler? They’re all big games at this point of the season.

  27. Vince Colonna

    February 8, 2015 at 9:33 pm

    Most arenas now have students in key seats on side of courts. It’s giving up big money but the return is higher when they get up in the tournament or start winning and selling out seats. Being behind the hoop does not offer alot of incentive to load up on buses and treck downtown. Uconn games on campus big difference to half full XL center downtown.

  28. Bill Howard

    February 8, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    And why leave the student section empty especially for pre-Big East season games? Fill those seats with younger alums or fans in PC garb so at least it looks full.

  29. Scott Miranda

    February 8, 2015 at 9:42 pm

    Make it free for students like URI is!!! Problem solved. U welcome

  30. Derec Lamendola

    February 8, 2015 at 9:44 pm

    That’s Right LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO We Need TO Rlaxing TONIGHT Evvvery One IS RSXLING TONIGHT I Was BISSE Today Now IM HOME RAXLING Doing PC PLERYS FOR Wedensday Therys NOW 7 PLAYS IM DOING LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO And IM DONE And Who’s PUMT PUMT PUMT PUMT PUMT PUMT Evverh ONS MEET UP And Let’s Get Larowad ON Wedensday Providence Collllege Got BE IN This Dacing

  31. Terrence Harris-Hughes

    February 8, 2015 at 9:48 pm

    Worst student section in the country

  32. John Cronan

    February 8, 2015 at 10:01 pm

    Definitely got this impression over the years. Seems like us Providence natives that grew up around PC and as PC fans, but didn’t attend, have more energy. I’m particularly speaking of the younger crowd. Hope it changes. We got a lot to be excited about!

  33. Nancy Noon Cronin

    February 8, 2015 at 10:18 pm

    Come on, students, you might never get the chance again to cheer for this great team, and wonderful coach. PC is a special school, and the Big East is a tough conference. They need you!

  34. George Mello

    February 8, 2015 at 10:52 pm

    Where have they been !!!!!

  35. Jim McGonigle

    February 8, 2015 at 10:58 pm

    It’s not just PC…it’s generational….

  36. Justin Farley

    February 8, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    for big games during the week, cancel classes the next morning. Have pep rallies that get the kids excited about the game, have contests (most creative sign, outfit, etc.) Kids & people in general don’t have long attention spans anymore, time to get creative to keep them engaged.

  37. William Greer

    February 8, 2015 at 11:25 pm

    Amen Craig..I went to almost every home game for all my 4 years (’88-’92) and wouldn’t trade it for anything. If I didn’t live 1,300 miles away, I’d be there more. COME ON PC STUDENTS, REPRESENT! #wearepc

  38. Paul Rodrigues

    February 9, 2015 at 12:13 am

    Great article…as a season ticket im a little disappointed that students dont come out to pack the dunk ….it starts with them in a trickle effect which makes it hard to beat us there …it helps with a winning season year in and year out and possibiliteisof TV exposure with a broader ban of fan base …i grew minutes up the street and will always be a FOREVER FRIAR and my 3 little ones as well GO FRIARS!!!!!

  39. Susan Lockwood Schartner

    February 9, 2015 at 12:17 am

    Sad..when my kids attended PC…the stands were packed with students! What happened? Sad!

  40. Paul Shannon

    February 9, 2015 at 12:43 am

    I never missed a basketball or hockey game when I was at PC. The student section is non existent. Sad.

  41. Steve Cleary

    February 9, 2015 at 5:16 am

    Maybe if some of the so called true fans actually went to the games Christopher Lopes

  42. Christopher Lopes

    February 9, 2015 at 11:32 am

    Steve Cleary, I’ve been twice so far this year and I am going Wednesday. Thank you

  43. Fred Pucillo

    February 9, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    I have witnessed several games that over 1 thousand students have been there with there support over 1 third od student population let’s keep it up

  44. Ed Wood

    February 9, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    Give same rate to non student fans. We would love to get a nice deal on them seats especially w the rise of prices now.

  45. Terry Brenan

    February 9, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    Student sections seemed pretty full in the years after ’87 final four and ’97 elite eight. I think back then some students chose PC over academically similar schools partially because of that excitement, and in some cases (outside of New England) became aware of PC in the first place because of the basketball team. Those students decided to go to games before they even got to Providence. They were sports fans and looked forward to getting on the bus and going to games. Not sure this would work, or could ever be implemented, but what about a campus-wide TV blackout of every in-conference game broadcast. Sort of similar to how the NFL used to blackout games locally, except do it for every conference game regardless of whether it’s sold out.

  46. Domenic Coletta

    February 9, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    No actually the season tickets were $15 back then

  47. Domenic Coletta

    February 9, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    The roads cannot handle the traffic, never mind the neighbors and no parking.

  48. Shannon Sweeney Saunders

    February 9, 2015 at 2:23 pm

    I think they increased to $15 in 1978.

  49. John Whetstone

    February 9, 2015 at 3:14 pm

    The pep band encouraged “YOU SUCK” during opponent introductions is an embarrassment, I can’t believe that Driscoll lets it continue.

  50. Terry Brenan

    February 9, 2015 at 3:53 pm

    There’s a lag. It takes time to get things back to what they used to be (when both student sections would be packed). The majority of current students likely applied with only academics and other considerations in mind, rightfully so, and might not also care about basketball. The current seniors sent in their applications before Ed Cooley arrived. The sophomores and juniors applied during Cooley’s rebuilding of the program. The sophomores were one year old when the Friars went to Elite 8 and 8 years old when the Friars had last gone to the NCAA tourney. Winning basketball was not really part of the school’s profile for high school kids 5 years ago. Right now, outstanding high school juniors who also happen to care about having a top basketball program (in addition to academics) are applying to PC. These are very good times at PC, and soon to be even better, thanks to Ed Cooley.

  51. Jennifer MacCallum O'Meara

    February 9, 2015 at 4:03 pm

    It is even worse for on-campus hockey games. Long time season ticket holders got moved to give the students premium seating. Plus student tickets are free. The only times this season that the student section has been packed has been on nights when things are being given away. The students come, get the freebie and leave. For the other games, the student section nearly empties out between the 2nd and 3rd period. I’m a PC alums and I find this disheartening. Anyone who has attended PC knows nothing starts up before 10 pm.

  52. Jennifer MacCallum O'Meara

    February 9, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    Wrong sentiment – hockey is just as much of a legacy at PC as basketball. And a 7-8,000 b-ball arena wouldn’t be a big draw to prospective recruits.

  53. Chris Primini

    February 9, 2015 at 4:11 pm

    Don’t follow what you’re saying. If we had an arena like conte forum on campus it would be great. I get the roads and parking comment

  54. Chris Primini

    February 9, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    My point was Schneider would be the most logical place to build an on campus venue. I’m not a city planner but that was my thought. “Multi-purpose” means for hockey too.

  55. Ken Begasse JR

    February 9, 2015 at 4:53 pm

    If they watch Xavier, that was a student section

  56. Ken Begasse JR

    February 9, 2015 at 4:53 pm

    If they watch Xavier, that was a student section

  57. Bill Howard

    February 9, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    Trust me…when tickets are free, people do not feel obligated to go and more often than not they don’t. When they pay, even a little, like $100 for the best season tickets in the Dunk, they tend to go more often. And isn’t even the bus ride to and from the Dunk free for students?

  58. Bill Howard

    February 9, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    Trust me…when tickets are free, people do not feel obligated to go and more often than not they don’t. When they pay, even a little, like $100 for the best season tickets in the Dunk, they tend to go more often. And isn’t even the bus ride to and from the Dunk free for students?

  59. Eric Carrier

    February 9, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    Build a nice basketball facility on campus

  60. Marc Pappas

    February 9, 2015 at 6:26 pm

    I’m a lifelong fan, and I wish we had a better student section, but the constant bashing of the students every year gets old. For whatever reasons, they don’t come. Maybe they just don’t care about college basketball, maybe they are from out of state and are fans of other teams. Maybe they don’t like waiting in freezing weather for the busses, maybe they don’t like spending 9 dollars for a beer, etc etc. If they don’t want to go, then that’s it, they don’t go. Is their a constant bashing of students for not going to soccer games, or tennis matches? What makes basketball any different ? Just because we are fans, or you went as students, tgat doesn’t mean every student has to do the same

  61. Michael Trenn

    February 10, 2015 at 12:02 am

    The student section was much more active when the students were predominantly local.

  62. Jay Elliott

    February 10, 2015 at 12:46 am

    Oh please.

  63. Jay Elliott

    February 10, 2015 at 12:47 am

    Considering the state of academics and a laughable acceptance rate, I suppose all that is left is to focus on sports.

  64. Pat Costa PC

    February 10, 2015 at 1:31 am

    Well put

  65. Sean McNamara

    February 10, 2015 at 2:44 am

    In the early 90s; the sixth man society hosted pregame parties across the street. Bring it back. Have a pregame party upstairs at Encore

  66. Chris Primini

    February 10, 2015 at 2:47 am

    Go to a game Jay and tell me what you see. Then try to explain it

  67. John Walmsley

    February 10, 2015 at 12:01 pm

    Your right, definitely isn’t like the 80 ‘ s and 90 ‘ s students ! Embarrassing how one student section is sometime full, and the other side is completely empty

  68. John Walmsley

    February 10, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    Where ??

  69. Eric Carrier

    February 10, 2015 at 12:08 pm

    Multi purpose arena where Schneider is but its too new to knock down! I know it will never happen!!

  70. Peter Ricci

    February 10, 2015 at 3:33 pm

    Sing it sister

  71. Dan Pellegrino

    February 10, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    I have to scald them like little children

  72. Mario Teixeira

    February 10, 2015 at 3:47 pm

    Parking is the issue not a building thats why its never happened

  73. Eric Carrier

    February 10, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    Yes neighbors would lose there minds

  74. John Cappuccilli

    February 10, 2015 at 4:32 pm

    Doesn’t seem like it’s going to change anytime soon. Coach might be able to chip away at the student attitude but it will never really change dramatically. The local residents will show them how to rally! I think overall the fan base is educated and classy and can get loud when the team is on a roll. Big game Wednesday. Wish I could go.

  75. Clif Colwell

    February 10, 2015 at 5:10 pm

    Providence College Providence College Friars Providence College Basketball Providence College Providence Friars Men’s Basketball

  76. Dan Mahoney

    February 10, 2015 at 6:55 pm

    This is the most intellegent comment on here

  77. Terry Brenan

    February 10, 2015 at 9:46 pm

    It may take some time, but student support will improve dramatically over time now that Coach Cooley has dramatically improved the program. The excitement will eventually yield a better and better home court advantage as more students choose PC partially because we’re on the same level basketball-wise as similar schools (like Villanova) and better than other schools (like BC). Schools with the good basketball programs get more students who are basketball fans. In the meantime, our student section doesn’t seem that bad to me for the big games (on TV, anyway). Hopefully we can get a full and LOUD student section for Villanova and the remaining home games this season. They’re all big games. However PC gets Alumni Hall rocking for midnight madness (contests, promotions, etc), they should do the same things at the Dunk. Go Friars!

  78. Terry Brenan

    February 11, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    It would be cool. But access roads are also an issue. 3/4 of the crowd or more would be non-students. Plus, the whole point of the Big East from the beginning was to bring teams off campus into bigger buildings in downtowns and expand the fan bases. Many of the schools have obviously gone back to their campuses for most games, but those schools have larger student bodies than PC, less non-student fans needing to drive to games and more space for parking and access. If PC could ever figure it out on campus though, it would be awesome!

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