Where are all the Fans?

The Yeshiva University Macs, with a record of 15 wins and 8 losses are experiencing a successful season. Their games have been extremely exciting as they have an interesting mix of talented veterans and promising younger classmen. The team has been improving game by game as they are getting used to playing in high-pressure situations including recent victories against highflying opponents such as Polytechnic and Lehman Universities. One might even use the word dramatic to describe these most recent victories as one players have stepped up for the team in clutch fashion to come up with the big buckets down the stretch.

All these facts bring up one disturbing and obvious question. Why is the Max Stern Athletic center practically empty when the basketball team plays? In addition, is there a reason why I’m able to have a conversation with my friend from one side of the court to the other without any vocal disturbances during a basketball game? Perhaps Yeshiva University students lack school spirit or maybe they just don’t care about their basketball team and this is a major problem.

The Macabees have a better record on the road, nine and three, then they do on their own home court, six and five. Our team needs our support. The fans are the people who really motivate the players to play their hearts out and to give one hundred and fifty percent. Freshman point guard Steve Martinek remarked, "I think our fan support is pathetic. We have a dual curriculum, which, added to the several practices our team has each week really wears us out. What we need more than anything is fan support. This gives us the adrenaline we so desperately need to forget everything, clear our minds, and give it all we got."

It is a commonly known phrase that if a basketball team has excellent fan support, the actual people attending the game are considered a sixth man. One opposing player who asked to remain nameless stated, "I love playing in Yeshiva because I don’t have to deal with the loud crowds that I’m normally used to in away games, especially when it comes to free throws." This quote in itself is proof enough that your support makes a difference.

In finding the root of the problem, though, one must know what is going through the heads of the Yeshiva students who don’t bother to attend these games. When YC sophomore Seth Goldberger was asked why he hasn’t attended any of the basketball games as of yet, he said, "Well because they suck and they’re boring to watch." Now this is an inaccurate and common misconception. In fact it is not rare to witness Yeshiva player, Brian Wein, throw down a power dunk off a fast break. In addition, you may even see a Canadian by the name of Steve Martinek hit 3 three-pointers in one half like he did against Lehman University. Now where else are you going to see a Canadian do that?

The Macs have a strong possibility to make the ECAC playoffs. However whether or they make it the team deserves strong fan support for the way they played this season. If there is one lesson that can be learned from this season, it is that YU fans play an invaluable and irreplaceable role in the success of their basketball team. If Yeshiva makes it into the tournament please be the fans that you never were. Pay the team back for all their hard work and determination by attending their playoff games and making some noise.