Pittsburgh—When a student body is united, it says a lot about a university. When it comes to college basketball, student support cannot win games—but it can help. Why has Pitt only lost twenty games at the Petersen Events Center? They have had strong fan support, starting with the Oakland Zoo. Of the many successful basketball programs in the NCAA, the best programs are the ones with great fan support. Every athletic department in the nation who cares at all about basketball should be trying to emulate schools like Duke, North Carolina, even Pitt. At Duquesne, the Tip-Off Tailgate event is a start.
The Duquesne University Department of Athletics will be hosting the 2nd annual Tip-Off Tailgate on January 12th before the first Atlantic 10 home game against Saint Joseph’s. The event, which won NACMA’s $1000 idea award in 2011, is sponsored by over 15 student organizations on Duquesne’s campus.
SGA president Zach Zeigler has spearheaded the delegation of a number of representatives from grassroots organizations on campus to act as point people in the event.
A banner competition to promote school spirit will be held on campus from January 7th-12th. Students are able to pick up banners starting January 7th at the Center for Student Involvement. The banners are due by January 12th at 3:00 PM and will be judged by various Duquesne alumni. The winners will be announced during halftime of the basketball game.
A donation drive run by the Student Veterans Association for Duquesne University Troops will be held the entire week starting the 7th. Students are asked to donate various items to the worthy cause of assisting members of the Armed Forces that represent the university. Non-perishable foods, flavor enhancers for water, books, magazines, decks of cards, and stationery for writing are all among the many items students are encouraged to donate.
Dinner with the Dukes is also an integral part of the event. This is set to take place on January 10th at the Nightspot and is designed to let students get to know the team more and get them in the spirit of supporting Duquesne basketball.
When it comes to school spirit, one of the most meaningful parts of the event is the Red Out that will take place in the Palumbo Center during the game. All students that enter the game will receive a free red t-shirt courtesy of UPMC.
When a student body is united, it says a lot about a university. When it comes to college basketball, student support cannot win games—but it can help. Why has Pitt only lost twenty games in their history at the Petersen Events Center? They have strong fan support, starting with the Oakland Zoo. Of the many successful basketball programs in the NCAA, the best programs are the ones with great fan support. Every athletic department in the nation who cares at all about basketball should be trying to emulate schools like Duke, North Carolina, even Pitt. At Duquesne, the Tip-Off Tailgate event is a start.
Photo Credit: Duquesne Athletics
