It seems West Virginia University students were given a second (fifth) chance.
I suggest you take advantage of it, because you’re not going to get another.
After an act of magic occurred Thursday evening, the WVU student section will not be decreased in size for tonight’s Big Monday showdown against Villanova.
Now, the lights will shine on Morgantown and the WVU Coliseum at 7 p.m. The national television audience will be waiting to see just why Mountaineer fans are so unruly. It’s time to step up and stop being stupid.
The University threatened to take away student seating. If that doesn’t give you a reality check, don’t show up tonight. This is serious now.
Here’s a list of five things you can do to make sure you’re not hurting the sixth-best team in the nation. I would listen if you want to keep your seats.
1. Don’t throw items on the floor.
Seems so simple, doesn’t it?
WVU head coach Bob Huggins pretty much said it as bluntly and as well as anyone, “That’s just stupid.” When you throw things, you stop the game, could injure players, coaches, officials or fellow fans and will ultimately hurt the team.
Don’t think just because you’ve thrown things before and no technical fouls were called (I’m not counting the second incident against Pitt because it probably wasn’t even a student) that the officials will swallow their whistle.
The Big East Conference has undoubtedly told its officials to keep a close eye on the fans tonight. Any false move and it’s free throws for the bad guys.
2. When the national anthem begins, shut up.
It’s embarrassing enough when the entire student section screams “Oh!” during the anthem. That being said, anything else is just disrespectful.
The derogatory, cussing toward Pitt last week during the national anthem was the worst act of stupidity by the students until the throwing began.
When the national anthem is being sung, everyone should be quiet. When it is over, say or scream what you want – just wait for it to be over.
3. When WVU goes on a drought, it’s up to you to keep the atmosphere up.
It seems each game the Mountaineers play, they go through a scoring drought at some point. With the way WVU plays, it’s only likely the streakiness will continue.
That’s where you come in.
When WVU struggles to produce offensively, it’s time for you to step it up. Don’t quiet yourself when the Mountaineers are on defense. Get louder.
The best offense, as Huggins preaches, is off of a defensive stop. That’s where the game-changing dunks and fast break plays take place.
If it wasn’t for those plays, just think of where the Mountaineers would be this year.
It’s likely they will need such a play or a run to beat a team as talented as Villanova.
4. Don’t fall to peer pressure.
This isn’t high school. When someone thinks the referees made a bad call, don’t egregiously assume they’re right.
You saw it with your own eyes – it was probably Villanova’s ball. Then don’t start chanting “bullshit” or “asshole.” You just look like a fickle fan – and let’s just be honest, there are enough of those out there that you don’t need to add to the numbers.
5. If you see someone acting like a crazy fool, who has thrown something on the court or is screaming obscenities or crude remarks, point them out.
The student fan issues won’t be solved completely by a heightened security and camera equipment.
This is going to take a group effort to fix.
I know, I know, this might not be the most fun you can have at a basketball game. But, at least you get to go to one.
I fear, if the WVU students act out negatively again tonight, students won’t even get to see the next home game.
anthony.dobies@mail.wvu.edu
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