By By Tejal Patel
An expanded spirit section boosted the Pride to defeat the University of Maine at last Saturday’s homecoming.
Spurred by growing student interest, the athletics department created a larger area in the bleachers for students to display their Blue and Gold.
“It’s the most important thing we can do,” said Jesse Bonfiglio, athletics department director of marketing and promotions ” [The other fans] feed off the energy of the student section.”
The primary purpose of the section is to raise the level of enthusiasm during a game through loud cheering that spreads throughout the stadium.
It is also a way for students to have an enjoyable time while supporting University athletics.
First implemented at basketball games, the section is now present at football games as well.
It was recently made official by the Student Government Association’s spirit committee chair Niema Mansouri.
The athletics department has been planning a student section for several years, but had been thwarted in the past by insufficient student interest.
At last year’s homecoming game the spirit section was located in the horseshoe behind the end zone, but due to the popularity of the section and the desire to “keep everything centralized and more easily accessible, it has been moved to the first seating section near the field’s main entrance,” Bonfiglio said.
The spirit section was re-introduced at the University’s first home football game this year, where it drew approximately 1,000 students. Due to the high level of participation, the section appeared at the second home game as well.
“SGA clubs and fraternities can sign up for the spirit competition and earn club and chapter points,” Mansouri said, adding the most spirited club and the club with the best attendance each receive a $250 prize.
At this year’s homecoming game, the ROTC won one of the cash prizes.
Starting up a spirit section requires time and consistency, Bonfiglio said.
Students must be shown permanence in events as well as prizes and promotions.
This was demonstrated in last year’s road trips to basketball games and a post-season trip for 50 students. There was also “Hofstra Hoopla” and T-shirt giveaways.
“The T-shirts went really fast,” freshman Lauren Keough noted in reference to the 500 “Hofstra Football” T-shirts distributed by the SGA spirit committee at the first home football game.
Many students who attended the University’s recent football games believe interest in the student section is mounting.
As news of the spirit section spreads via student promotion, the athletic department hopes to be able to place one at every football game.
The spirit section, located in the seats closest to the main entrance, creates a feeling of unity and excitement for fans watching last weekend’s homecoming game. (Stephen Knowlton/The Chronicle)
