Colorado University Athletics
Student Group Support Made Big Impact On Pac-12 Success
Colorado's athletic department invited 50 members of the C-Unit to join the band and spirit squad on the trip to recreate a satellite student section at both of the Tournament's venues. Members were selected on the merits of their attendance and ranking in CU's loyalty program. Those students that made the trip had near perfect attendance at CU men's basketball games this year.
"Our environment at home is the heartbeat of our program and that starts with the students," CU Athletic Director Mike Bohn said. "It was fitting to invite them and bring spirit, energy and pride to the tournament and they delivered an incredible amount of energy and passion. It's brought great national recognition to what they stand for and our program stands for and what a wonderful institution the University of Colorado is."
While a free trip for 50 college students to Los Angeles might raise some eyebrows, the whole experience was deemed an overwhelming success by all. Not only did the student section provide an excellent atmosphere at games, it helped promote the tournament as a whole. CU's students participated in public events such as the tournament's Fan Fest. The band, Chip and cheer team members made an appearance on an L.A. TV station's morning show - at 5:30 a.m. - to get word out about the tournament.
"We've had such a good time, people have been very receptive to us," Band director Dana Biggs said. "Our number one goal is to have fun and that's what we try to do with our C-Unit, student section and the band. We're very proud of our school."
Six games - two women's, four men's - in four days took up much of the student's schedule, but there was some free time at Santa Monica Pier and Manhattan Beach.
"It's been an experience of a lifetime for everyone," said senior journalism major Jariya Phanpaktra. "It's really rallied the support of the basketball team and the university as a whole."
Colorado's students rallied behind the team which such staples as "Quiet, He's Shooting A Free Throw," and also new ones appropriate for the situation including, "We Don't Need No Altitude."
"I'm just so thankful that those 50 kids could come here and experience this with us," CU head coach Tad Boyle said. "They're a big part of it, as are the rest of the students who have been supporting us all year at The Coors Events Center... it's a special place."