Jack McGuire
Content Editor
I recently went to the Cameron Classic in Aggie Gym. The two-day event pitted the men’s basketball team against Oklahoma Panhandle State on day one and the University of Texas-Permian Basin on day two.
As I watched each game I noticed the same three things: First, this is a great crowd turnout to start the season; second, why are there still so many seats still empty? And finally, why are the fans not cheering and getting more into the game?
Over the last decade, winning seldom happened in Aggie Gym. The basketball teams each averaged a losing season since 2003. Given that statistic, I understand why students and fans may not have wanted to come to a game. Then again, I feel that fans and students should be rallying around the school given that Cameron is Lawton’s university.
Over the previous three seasons I have noticed a pattern for attendance at basketball games. To start the season, attendance is average or even slightly below average. As the season continues, attendance grows or shrinks based on how the team is doing. The fan action is not fair to the teams.
Going into a season, fans need to pack the gym for these teams. Fans attend in order to celebrate the teams and the possible achievements they can bring to the university. As the seasons for each team progress, attendance should remain the same if the team wins or decrease if the team is not doing well.
The woman’s basketball team is following a mere five-win season. In the opening home game of this season, attendance was 421 people. The Aggies managed to break a scoring record in the game. The atmosphere was impressive for such few people, but a sell out crowd would have drawn more and more fans for future games.
The men’s basketball team went undefeated at home from Jan. 25, 2012 through Nov. 8, 2013. They also came off their first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament. Point guard Craig Foster returns as an All- American and reigning Lone Star Conference (LSC) Player of the Year. The Lawton native now carries the title as National Preseason player of the Year. CU has the opportunity to crack the nation’s Top 25. So why is Aggie Gym not packed and rocking?
CU averaged around 1,100 fans per men’s basketball game. Aggie Gym fits about 1,700 people comfortably. Where are those other 600 attendees?
What people may not realize is a loud, supportive crowd can lift the home team and frustrate visiting teams. The best example I have is Feb. 20, 2013 when the Aggies hosted Tarleton State University. There were 1,200 fans in attendance, but the crowd did not get into the game until the last 30 seconds. A Tarleton State Player missed a free throw because the crowd became deafening loud. This led to Cameron getting a look at the eventual game winning three- pointer. This example leads me to also asking why do fans not constantly cheer throughout the game?
As I stare into the crowd I see people not giving the game any attention or texting. It’s as if the game is just a place to socialize and there just so happens to be a game being played.
I understand that students have work, school, families and social lives; however, I also believe students should show support for the university where they earned their degree. There are many ways to do so, but one of the simpler and more entertaining is by cheering on the Black and Gold to victory after victory.
I would like to challenge fans of basketball and Cameron University to attend more games for the men and women, to cheer and be loud from opening tip-off to the final buzzer. Make Aggie Gym the most difficult place to play in the LSC. Make visiting teams nervous to come play in Lawton.
I don’t believe it is fair to the players or coaches who are trying to make both the university and the city nationally known. Last season no longer matters. A new season is here, and fans need to support the early success of the teams. They must continue to root and cheer for these teams because they are trying to make Cameron a school to be reckoned with.