Podcast

Since this will be just read into a podcast type format, I'm not really worried about grammar and organization. Bite me.

Well, the season has finally come to a close. I'm not sure if I should feel disappointed, or just relieved that it's over. Don't get me wrong, I love basketball, especially Niner basketball, but this season at points was almost unbearable. There were some really low points...getting crushed @Davidson, by Houston, by Xavier, do I need to continue? Luckily, we only got blown out at home once, by North Texas, and we still managed to win ten games at home in Halton this year, so the majority of the time us fans left Halton at least somewhat satisfied.

I'm not really here to talk about Niner basketball, I'm supposed to discuss what it's like being a 49er Athletics fan. That would entail discussing being a fan of all sports, so after this broadcast, I'll try not to mention Men's Basketball too much until next season is close.

First off, to all the fans who came often and early to home games this year, thank you. Even though the team did not perform well this season, it has been one of the most memorable seasons as a fan. There was more comraderie in the front few rows this year than last, with all that facepaint sharing and everything. There is something to be said about fans who show up early to watch a team with a losing record. It is easy to pull for your winning teams, but true school spirit shines when teams are struggling. I don't know about everyone else, but my voice is just now recovered from the season.

While I'm discussing this, I have two gripes about this season. Both concern the George Washington @ home. We had a few fans show up early for this game for the first time. They got their ridiculously early so they could be front row on ESPN2, and got offended when the regulars didn't respect them or promise to save their seats for them. Yes, these students did show up early, but if there's one thing wrong with the system this year is that the regulars, the ones who show up early to every game, are in a position to get screwed over. There needs to be some sort of serious reward system for those of us who consistently come early, not just when our games are on TV.

The next thing that really ground my gears about that game was the way the fans were treated before the doors open. I don't know how many you were out there, but it was COLD, RAINY, and MISERABLE outside. How did the security staff react to this? How did they treat the hardcore fans who show up early to every game during a crummy season? They left us out in the cold and said the doors would not open until an hour and thirty minutes before tip off. Go ahead, tell me rules are rules, but show some compassion and appreciate those who are extremely dedicated. The fans put up with a bad season, so maybe throw them a favor every once in awhile.

There, I'm done griping.

I'd like to point out a few bright spots here at home this year. Kyle Church hitting a 3 at the buzzer in the exhibition, the season opener against Hofstra was exciting, destroying Wofford was a good way to end the year, the infamous "you're fly is down" game vs. UMASS which resulted in two students' ejections, the following home game poking fun at being kicked out with signs such as "I am not a crook", homecoming vs. Fordham was full of spirit and facepaint, Phaler's 3-3 3 pt. shooting game, and even though we lost, the George Washington game was one of the best, especially since the student section looked awesome on TV.

But its all over, no NCAA, no NIT for the men this year. We can only look forward another season of facepaint, sore throats, creative signs, and foolish antics next year.

For now, we've got an incredible baseball team (14-3) receiving votes in the top 25 polls (they play this weekend at home in Kannapolis against Charleston), and our Women's basketball team is taking on High Point thursday night in the NIT.

So, come on out to the games this week. Come join us in the loud, obnoxious student section. You can't miss us.

That'll be it for this week.