As I write this, there are less than twelve hours before tip-off at the season opener for Grand Canyon University's men's basketball team. At another school, this might not be cause for so much celebration. But here at GCU, it heralds the beginning of the best time of the year. It means the beginning of painting yourself purple, wearing more onesies than you can count, and trying desperately to dance your way onto the big screen to the tune of "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5.
It means the beginning of countless hours spent standing in line, fighting through a crowd to get a good seat, and leaving the arena exhausted but even more excited for the next game. It means the beginning of game selfies, Kahoot! trivia games, Purple Pregame Parties, and showing the WAC conference what the Lopes are made of.
From late October to early March, the Havocs student section dominates the competition in being the best home game environment in college basketball. Those who have never heard of Grand Canyon University and its student section have to see it to believe it. There is nothing like the atmosphere at those games. I've been enjoying home basketball games for three years now, and it's been one of my absolute favorite things about attending GCU.
I firmly believe that our 3,000+ member student section is the best college basketball environment in the country. From synchronized dances and chants to camping out for days on end for rivalry games, and even to hundreds of fans traveling across the country with our team, no other student section can compare. And not that we're bragging, but we've got plenty of support to back up our claims to fame. Former head coach for University of Louisville basketball said in an interview said we were the toughest crowd his team had ever faced, and USA Today Sports called us the "craziest fans in college basketball." We bleed purple and need everyone to know it.
Even for those not interested in the sport, men's basketball games are the campus events you don't miss. Normally, heavy crowds make me anxious. But there is something about the crowd before a GCU basketball game that excites me. In general, the prospect of standing for two hours straight doesn't sound fun but during a game, I can't help but be on my feet the entire time. And now that we are NCAA Division I tournament eligible, my excitement has only increased. I am not only hype to get back to the biggest party in college basketball but also for our team to get back on the court and make us proud.
This year, I'm facing my last season in the student section. It's surprising how emotional you can become over something as simple as going to basketball games. But we at GCU love GCU, and I am no exception. The student section at GCU is just one example of the intense love our students have for our school and for each other. The community at Grand Canyon University is unparalleled, and I'm more than proud to have been a part of it for four years.
