Oftentimes at the University, students are defined by their activities, leading everyone to choose involvements wisely. Only with this scrutinizing eye did I join the ranks of the school's best new organization: The Assemblage of Cain.
The Assemblage -- a new student Web site and unofficial fan club honoring freshman basketball player Jason Cain -- debuted this week, celebrating Cain with statistics, news, AIM buddy icons and even a music single. The Assemblage has become an instant sensation, the popularity of which can be tracked by the Web counter, which has shown an average of more than 1,000 hits per day.
The site's first biographical song, "Rockin' Tha 'Stache," is in my opinion an instant classic, and I can already hear Kasey Kasem calling it on a future top-40 countdown. Assemblage founder, president and musical director Seth Barker promises that his second Cain-dedicated single, "A Man from PA," will live up to the high bar set by his premiere hit.
Emerging at a time marked by an increasing amount of student disfavor surrounding the men's basketball team, the Assemblage has become a bright spot around Grounds, even prompting some of the first positive buzz on The Sabre's basketball message board in quite some time.
But the question remains: Why Cain? What is it about this 6-foot-9, 205-pound freshman forward that has inspired such an elaborate Web site and cult following? The former Philadelphia All-City honoree is averaging (through Saturday's game with Clemson) only 2.4 points in 6.5 minutes per game in his rookie season. When asked how his transition to University life and college basketball has been going, Cain said it has been hard and to date has not lived up to his expectations.
That said, where could Cain's inescapable mystique have come from?
"He obviously has skill and ability, but I think also it's his presence on the court -- just look at the guy and I think it strikes fear in opponents," Barker said.
Fellow board member Daniel Warburton elaborated on what it was about Cain's style that was so unique.
"I believe it's the extremely long T-shirts, the hooded sweatshirts and the mustache," the Assemblage Chief Operating Officer said.
Cain indeed has a consistent fashion sense, sporting oversized hooded sweatshirts and the same mustache he's had since ninth grade. The sweatshirts simply serve a utilitarian purpose.
"It's cold outside, that's why" I wear them, he said.
Cain has certainly received plenty of heckles for his mustache in opposing arenas. At Cameron Indoor, Duke fans repeatedly chanted, "Shave your mustache" and -- later in the game -- "Grow a beard" during his free throw attempts. Cain, however, has no plans to change his look, saying that his 'stache has become a part of who he is, and the Assemblage would be sad to see it go.
"We wholeheartedly support the mustache," Warburton said. He also added that the baby-faced board members would like to emulate their mustachioed hero, if only they had the ability to do so.
First-years Barker, Warburton and Vice President Nick Mangum cited faltering attendance at home basketball games and a desire to spread the word about Cain's talent as the primary motives for the Assemblage.
"He's a man of few words so it's hard to get to know the man," Barker said.
Assemblage Gallbladder Mike Lefebvre (so named for his lack of any purposeful function on the board) was unavailable for comment.
The site carries a banner headline "... Cain rose up ..." (a quote from Genesis) and promotes their slogan, "Cain is Able." These references to the old Biblical story of Cain and Abel are not irrelevant as Cain often shares a bench with Virginia walk-on Brad Abel. Cain, however, denied that there was any tension between him and his teammate.
In fact, Cain has kept a level head about his newfound fame.
"It's funny," he said. "It's sort of crazy that Saturday there were 300 visitors and [Sunday night] there were 2,600."
That number has grown to 5,200 as of Tuesday afternoon, and the Assemblage has much grander plans. Barker said that the Assemblage has already been in contact with students at other universities, such as VCU, JMU and Virginia Tech, about setting up their own local chapters.
"When I was writing [the constitution], I thought that I should make provisions because it's obviously going to go nationwide," Barker said. "I know Tech's a big rival, but they'd have to see the power of Cain."
It's that kind of strong leadership and brilliant vision that inspired me to jump on board. The Assemblage's membership has risen exponentially in its first week, growing from its four-member board to its current roster of 15. With Cain's on-court potential, it's hard to see a ceiling for the future of the Assemblage.
See for yourself what all the hype is about at www.people.virginia.edu/~djw7d/cain.
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