It seems very surprising that there were no reports on the fan turnout for the Holy Cross game last Sunday. A busload of students, pep band members and cheerleaders spent 16 hours on a bus to watch their Eagles play with heart and pride. This is what college basketball is all about, and it is odd The Eagle did not feel that it was important to show that some students wanted to make Holy Cross OUR court, and we did just that!
The Holy Cross students were on spring break, which allowed for the AU pep band and cheerleaders (who have been there for every single game) to lead the fans in cheers that helped our Eagles battle with the 'Saders for the entire game. Coach Jones and the team seemed very appreciative to see the fan turnout. Coach Jones and the Eagles deserve more of this and should have seen this at many more games.
It is my opinion that the Athletics Department and the administration need to understand that the students who spent 16 hours on the bus loved every second of that game, and would do it again if need be. As a member of the pep band, I believe the pep band should be allowed to travel with the team to "big games" like the Patriot League Tournament for the following years. If you watched the game on ESPN U, you would have seen intense and passionate pep band members that cheered throughout the entire game.
However, this is not just the first occasion we have cheered on our team. Every single game, when students are in class or are just apathetic toward the sports scene, the pep band has been there. AU has the chance of making Bender a very difficult place for other teams to play, but we can make other arenas our home as well if we are given the chance.
It was a great season for our Eagles and for Coach Jones. I know that the pep band is looking forward to seeing our women's team BEAT Holy Cross on Wednesday and be allowed to travel with the women in the NCAA tournament. The pep band is also very excited for the next season and hopefully there is a great recruitment class to push up to the top of the Patriot League.
Matt Nestopoulos
Sophomore in School of International Service and School of Public Affairs
