Restore the Roar

Something was different.

Even those sitting in the upper seats of the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum could hear the sound of sneakers squeaking on the court and coaches calling plays during the Nov. 28 game against the University of Denver.

The arena was packed. And silent.

The Spectrum at Utah State University holds 10,270 spectators and is known to have one of the rowdiest crowds in NCAA basketball. The student section, which is seated near the opposing team’s bench, is known for heckling the opposition throughout the game.

But Denver wasn’t given the treatment that other teams usually receive that night.

“I have never seen the Spectrum as quiet as it was,” said Elizabeth Tracy, an employee with the USU athletic department. “You could hear the sound of a pin drop and no one but the student section knew what was going on.”

Earlier this month Utah State University president Stan Albrecht, issued a personal letter of apology to Brigham Young University in response to the USU student section’s behavior during the Aggie versus Cougar game on the Nov. 11 match up.

Students were not happy about this apology letter and did not think their behavior was offensive.

“I think an apology was unnecessary because that kind of behavior is to be expected at college sporting events and is all part of the fun,” said Jenna Black, a member of the HURD, USU’s student section.

According to students in attendance at last Wednesday’s game, students were told that if they harassed the other team, leaned over the railing or pointed, they would be escorted out of the game and their student ID would be revoked, thereby making them ineligible to attend anymore Aggie basketball games this season. A security guard took it upon himself to issue these instructions.

Students were already angered with the recent apology letter and these instructions from the security guard enraged the crowd.

A silent protest began and lasted for the first few minutes of the game that ended in a loss of 67-54. This defeat broke the Aggies’ 33-game home-court winning streak.

According to USU Athletic Director, Scott Barnes, it was a miscommunication with the security guard and no policies had been changed in regard to cheering.

The Aggies’ next home game is Dec. 6 where they will face Utah Valley University.

Ryan Baylis, Athletics Vice President, said this week “everything should be back to normal for the next game. The athletic department said they would let us go back to the way things were.”

Students are prepared for this week’s game and “the athletic department does not have any new rules,” Baylis said.