By: by Mark Toma
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KENNESAW, Ga. – There were dueling pep bands, cheerleaders from both schools, a sold-out student section decked in all black, faces and bodies painted in the school colors, a deafening noise that began with a raucous round of boos for the visitor’s …
BEFORE THE GAME.
It was a college basketball environment true to life that lived up to the pageantry and emotion that a campus can rally around. Where did you find that last night? Not at North Carolina, Duke or Kentucky, but right here at Kennesaw State.
Last night the KSU Convocation Center was transformed into an electrically charged den of college basketball frenzy. A sold-out student section helped set a new Convocation Center record when 2,378 fans saw the Owls top Mercer for their sixth straight win in front of the largest crowd to ever witness a Kennesaw State home basketball game.
“The atmosphere tonight was something I haven’t seen here, it was unbelievable,” boasted head coach Tony Ingle. “The fans inspired us tonight and we couldn’t have won without them.”
The fans swarmed the arena en mass last night and were charged from the minute they walked through the doors of the Convocation Center. Fraternities, sororities gathered donned in black “Beat Mercer” t-shirts and handed the visiting Bears a loud array of boos when they took the floor for warm-ups.
“It was a really exciting because there were so many students there,” said KSU senior Betsy Warrilow. “It was so loud and there was so much energy. I have never seen that many people here before, it was great.”
The supercharged atmosphere at the Convocation Center never dissipated during the game. Even when the Owls trailed by 11 points early, the intensity level grew. Signs were scattered through the student sections and teddy bears were impaled with makeshift daggers as the Black and Gold overcame the deficit and held a lead for most of the second half.
“It was crazy being on the court last night,” said Montye Edwards, who is the in game host for KSU men’s basketball games. “There was a feeling similar to any major college rivalry in the country and it was loud, frenzied and most importantly it was our fans and students who created such an enthusiastic atmosphere.”
After Mercer’s last chance three-pointer fell short, giving the Owls a 66-63 win, Coach Ingle took the public address microphone and thanked the still cheering crowd while his players raced to each end of the court to shake hands and join their fellow schoolmates in the excitement.
Perhaps Kennesaw State Athletics Director wrapped it up best when he simply stated with a grin on his face, “tonight was as good as it gets.”
