There is no debating that Virginia basketball is in major transition mode. With a new coach and arena, the program is on the verge of national prominence. This year, in addition to head basketball coach Dave Leitao and the John Paul Jones arena, Virginia basketball also saw the addition of the student fan group, the Hoo Crew.
While Leitao and John Paul Jones Arena drew praise from the public, the Hoo Crew got criticized by fans and writers alike. While I am quite critical, at times, of certain facets of the Virginia sports world and personally not a member of the Hoo Crew, it seems to me the Hoo Crew criticism may not be completely appropriate. After speaking at length to Hoo Crew president Graham Tucker and multiple people in Virginia Sports Marketing, there exist major misconceptions on the part of the public about the group. With an open student forum on the Hoo Crew seating arrangement for next year scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday night (Tues., March 28 in Physics 205 and Wed., March 29 in the Recruiting Room in Bryant Hall, both at 7:00 p.m.) there needs to be an objective view of the facts.
For starters, many critics have deemed the Hoo Crew a "pet-project" of the Virginia athletic department to aid the attendance of the basketball team. While there is no doubt the marketing team looks to increase attendance, the Hoo Crew was a student initiative from the beginning. Furthermore, the Hoo Crew executive board spent countless hours attempting to convince the athletic department to permit the existence of the Hoo Crew. This stands in stark contrast to reports that the Hoo Crew was established by the student council or the Virginia Athletic Foundation.
The notion that the Hoo Crew is an exclusive group of students that is separating Virginia fans is absurd. A quick glance around the ACC shows fan groups, such as those at Wake Forest and N.C. State, identical to the newly created Hoo Crew. In fact, the Hoo Crew management even visited many of these schools to attempt to use them as a guide to starting the fan group.
The rules in place for the Hoo Crew are only to create a better sports atmosphere for the basketball team. By requiring students to attend all games (one absence is permitted each semester), the Cavaliers gain a home court advantage against all the opponents that come to Charlottesville. Prior to the existence of a student-led group, the arena would be quite empty for early season opponents such as Appalachian State. Just for the record, the Hoo Crew even permits a student to give their ticket and shirt to another student to sit in their place if they are going to miss a game.
There is also no doubt that the environment at the basketball games this year was the best it has been in the four years I have been here. According to an alumnus, the environment this past season was the best it has been since the Ralph Sampson era. While the Hoo Crew is not the only catalyst for this change, it had a noticeable impact on the aura of the Wahoo fans. From an increase of organized chants to the choreographed hand movement behind the basket during free throws, the Hoo Crew made U-Hall a tougher place to come to play. Even the Virginia basketball players expressed praise for the Hoo Crew's impact on the game.
With John Paul Jones opening next year, the forums on Tuesday and Wednesday night permit students an opportunity to voice their opinions on the three different proposed seating arrangements. Personally, the proposal named Sabre seems the best choice, since it is the only choice with the Hoo Crew in one central location along the sideline. Since the television cameras will face the sideline of the fan group, the impact of a rowdy, unified fan body as the face of Virginia sports would have a huge impact on the recruiting and overall perception of the program.
It is important to note that this Sabre proposal still gives Virginia students outside of the Hoo Crew great seats behind the basket that are very similar to the current student section at U-Hall. It simply rewards those fans that are dedicated enough to come out to every game throughout the year.
I also found it quite interesting to note that the Hoo Crew had made appearances at other Virginia events this season, such as tennis matches at the Boar's Head. To bring a fun, enthusiastic atmosphere to sports that often go under the radar at Virginia is truly an accomplishment.
After speaking with Tucker at length about the Hoo Crew, it is quite apparent that his enthusiasm for the group is only a positive for Virginia sports. There is no doubt that mistakes have been made that need to be improved in future years. For example, someone must go shopping for a better shirt design for the group, the cheers could use some work and the overall public communication of the group needs to be better to allow all students the ability to enter the group if they want.
Yet, the Hoo Crew is bringing an atmosphere to Virginia athletics that was much needed. Rather than getting attacked by fellow fans, the Hoo Crew should be recognized for its spirit and commitment to bringing Virginia a true home court advantage.
If you want more information about the proposals, you can visit virginiasports.com on the basketball page or go to hoocrew.com for information about the student group.
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