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http://www.standard.net/topics/sports/2010/03/08/power-purple-pak-weber-state-fans-are-geared-tournament-time-and-craziness-
Power of the Purple Pak / Weber State fans are geared up for tournament time, and the craziness starts tonight
By Gentry Reinhart (Standard-Examiner correspondent)
Last Edit: Mar 8 2010 - 11:21pm
OGDEN -- It might be difficult to find a throat lozenge in Weber or Davis counties Thursday morning.
At least that's what Weber State University faithful anticipate as they host the Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament this week.
But for devoted fans on the front lines of the home crowd fan-demonium effort, it's just another night in the trenches of roundball warfare.
"I'm the guy in the full-body purple spandex suit," said WSU junior telecommunications student and Wildcat superfan Andy Skillman. "I've been on the front line of that student section for about two and a half years now, and I'm definitely one of the more vocal leaders of the student section."
Skillman's rise to the top of the fan food chain was purely coincidental. Sitting around with friends one Valentine's eve, distraught over the lack of female companionship, the guys heard about a Weber State game and decided to give it a try.
"We were absolutely hooked," Skillman said. "We were sitting about 10 or 15 rows back, just thinking how awesome it would be if we could be on the front row with all those crazy guys."
The following season, Skillman and cohorts proved their loyalty to the upperclassmen by coming early to games and enduring sore throats and body-paint rashes, thus fulfilling a destiny draped in purple spandex, giant wigs and plastic trumpets.
Skillman and senior physical education student Bryan Weir are now co-chairmen of the Purple Pak -- a student-run organization working with student alumni services to enhance campus life through various involvement activities, including sporting events.
"I know a lot of times in the game when they get loud, it makes me want to win for them," said WSU guard Damian Lillard. "It's been a big help, and the Purple Pak has been real good to us this year."
While the two work together on most projects, Weir oversees football in the fall, and Skillman heads up basketball in the winter.
But it's not all fun and games for the duo.
Among their home-game duties: game night promotion (fliers and placards on campus); organization of tailgate and post-win festivities at the Victory Tree (a legendary gathering spot in the southeast section of the Dee Events Center parking lot); coordination of cheers; and, possibly most important, extensive research into opposing teams for heckle fodder, i.e., whose mother is most overweight, why the point guard's ears stick out or a recent embarrassing loss.
"Their shootaround before the game is always right by us," Skillman said. "We try to find out something about them we can use to get in their head so they're not quite as focused."
Efforts from the group never go unnoticed, by either team, and the home team appreciates the atmosphere as much as the opposition despises it.
"They've been terrific," said WSU coach Randy Rahe. "We've seen the numbers grow, and that's been really fun, and they've been loud and active.
"I know our players have noticed them during the games, and we're excited that the numbers have gotten bigger. The bigger they get, the better chance we have, and I really appreciate them coming out and making an effort to support us."
One of the biggest challenges for Purple Pak organizers is fan draw. Weber State's athletic programs consistently rank atop the Big Sky, but typically sit near the bottom for attendance.
"With Weber State being a commuter school, it's hard to get students involved with extracurricular activities," Weir said. "But they don't realize that games are free, the teams are really exciting to watch, and if you come, you won't be let down."
While Skillman and company wish attendance numbers were bigger, it doesn't faze them on game night.
"We may be lacking in quantity, but we are definitely not lacking in quality. All of us are absolutely nuts, and we're all kind of a big crazy family," Skillman said.
Weir and Skillman also express frustration over the countless students they see wearing BYU or University of Utah apparel around campus and admit they sometimes feel like "ripping it off them and buying a Weber State hat for them to wear."
Many members of the student organization, Skillman and Weir included, work part-time jobs in addition to taking a full class load and volunteer duties with the Purple Pak. They say the excitement and camaraderie that campus life offers -- especially through getting students excited about the sporting events -- make it all worthwhile.
It's evident, as preparation, execution and celebration efforts are just as ceremonial as schools with prestigious athletic programs, with a few minor geographical differences.
"After each win, we go back out to the Victory Tree and have a victory Mountain Dew," Skillman said.
Purple Pak faithful promise another full-force effort tonight and throughout the tournament, and extend a hearty invitation to everyone in the area to come out and support their home team.
Sore-throat remedy not included.
http://www.standard.net/topics/sports/2010/03/08/power-purple-pak-weber-state-fans-are-geared-tournament-time-and-craziness-
Power of the Purple Pak / Weber State fans are geared up for tournament time, and the craziness starts tonight
By Gentry Reinhart (Standard-Examiner correspondent)
Last Edit: Mar 8 2010 - 11:21pm
OGDEN -- It might be difficult to find a throat lozenge in Weber or Davis counties Thursday morning.
At least that's what Weber State University faithful anticipate as they host the Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament this week.
But for devoted fans on the front lines of the home crowd fan-demonium effort, it's just another night in the trenches of roundball warfare.
"I'm the guy in the full-body purple spandex suit," said WSU junior telecommunications student and Wildcat superfan Andy Skillman. "I've been on the front line of that student section for about two and a half years now, and I'm definitely one of the more vocal leaders of the student section."
Skillman's rise to the top of the fan food chain was purely coincidental. Sitting around with friends one Valentine's eve, distraught over the lack of female companionship, the guys heard about a Weber State game and decided to give it a try.
"We were absolutely hooked," Skillman said. "We were sitting about 10 or 15 rows back, just thinking how awesome it would be if we could be on the front row with all those crazy guys."
The following season, Skillman and cohorts proved their loyalty to the upperclassmen by coming early to games and enduring sore throats and body-paint rashes, thus fulfilling a destiny draped in purple spandex, giant wigs and plastic trumpets.
Skillman and senior physical education student Bryan Weir are now co-chairmen of the Purple Pak -- a student-run organization working with student alumni services to enhance campus life through various involvement activities, including sporting events.
"I know a lot of times in the game when they get loud, it makes me want to win for them," said WSU guard Damian Lillard. "It's been a big help, and the Purple Pak has been real good to us this year."
While the two work together on most projects, Weir oversees football in the fall, and Skillman heads up basketball in the winter.
But it's not all fun and games for the duo.
Among their home-game duties: game night promotion (fliers and placards on campus); organization of tailgate and post-win festivities at the Victory Tree (a legendary gathering spot in the southeast section of the Dee Events Center parking lot); coordination of cheers; and, possibly most important, extensive research into opposing teams for heckle fodder, i.e., whose mother is most overweight, why the point guard's ears stick out or a recent embarrassing loss.
"Their shootaround before the game is always right by us," Skillman said. "We try to find out something about them we can use to get in their head so they're not quite as focused."
Efforts from the group never go unnoticed, by either team, and the home team appreciates the atmosphere as much as the opposition despises it.
"They've been terrific," said WSU coach Randy Rahe. "We've seen the numbers grow, and that's been really fun, and they've been loud and active.
"I know our players have noticed them during the games, and we're excited that the numbers have gotten bigger. The bigger they get, the better chance we have, and I really appreciate them coming out and making an effort to support us."
One of the biggest challenges for Purple Pak organizers is fan draw. Weber State's athletic programs consistently rank atop the Big Sky, but typically sit near the bottom for attendance.
"With Weber State being a commuter school, it's hard to get students involved with extracurricular activities," Weir said. "But they don't realize that games are free, the teams are really exciting to watch, and if you come, you won't be let down."
While Skillman and company wish attendance numbers were bigger, it doesn't faze them on game night.
"We may be lacking in quantity, but we are definitely not lacking in quality. All of us are absolutely nuts, and we're all kind of a big crazy family," Skillman said.
Weir and Skillman also express frustration over the countless students they see wearing BYU or University of Utah apparel around campus and admit they sometimes feel like "ripping it off them and buying a Weber State hat for them to wear."
Many members of the student organization, Skillman and Weir included, work part-time jobs in addition to taking a full class load and volunteer duties with the Purple Pak. They say the excitement and camaraderie that campus life offers -- especially through getting students excited about the sporting events -- make it all worthwhile.
It's evident, as preparation, execution and celebration efforts are just as ceremonial as schools with prestigious athletic programs, with a few minor geographical differences.
"After each win, we go back out to the Victory Tree and have a victory Mountain Dew," Skillman said.
Purple Pak faithful promise another full-force effort tonight and throughout the tournament, and extend a hearty invitation to everyone in the area to come out and support their home team.
Sore-throat remedy not included.