Thundercats intimidate visiting teams

     There is a growing trend on basketball nights at the Centennial Center. Those who love their Bobcats can go one step further to show support for the home team.
     The excitable and basketball-loving crowd known as the Thundercats has simple requirements.
     “People just have to stand up and yell for the whole game,” junior Chris McCorkhill said.
     Some version of painted hecklers has existed since the Centennial Center opened in 1989. Athletic director Stan Aldridge remembers an All-American baseball player who sparked enthusiasm by painting up as an official with a dagger in his back.
     “I love the enthusiasm and hope to see the whole student section full of these guys,” Aldridge said.
     The growth of the Thundercats has given the group a reputation with players and coaches. McCorkhill, a fan responsible for the Thundercat rebirth, said the group can distract opposing players from the game.
     Some coaches try unsuccessfully to force the referees to control or quiet the GCSU super-fans. As long as they keep their jokes and chants respectable, visiting teams cannot stifle the home court advantage.
     “The primary purpose of collegiate athletics is to get the students to feel like it’s their team too,” men’s Head Coach Terry Sellers said.
     Aldridge said in the last 10 years one athletic director has complained about the loud students.
     Officials have the right to choose their restrictions on the Thundercats. Most let them stay on the court border.
     “Referees usually don’t mind us as long as we don’t make any contact with the players,” McCorkhill said.
     A Peach Belt Conference rule reserving seats behind the visiting team’s bench prevents emotions from becoming too intense. Campus police are always close by to diffuse any conflict.
     “I’ve only had to calm the guys down a few times,” Aldridge said. “The group does a good job of keeping the cheers fun.”
The positive energy gives the players an extra edge at the Centennial Center and even for some away games.
     In an exhibition game at Mercer’s University Center, the Thundercats arrived in full body paint to yell at high decibels for GCSU.
     “For them to show up in Macon was huge for us, I was surprised and appreciative,” Sellers said.
     Campus Ministries has organized the cheering section over the past few years. Their weekly meeting time was moved to make room for the Wednesday night games.
     As both men’s and women’s basketball heads towards the final stretch of the season, student support is crucial.
     “More excitement and a larger home crowd give us a definite advantage,” Sellers said.
     GCSU students have the option to watch exciting and competitive PBC basketball on a weekly basis. Some of the top-ranked teams in the nation compete at the Centennial Center.
     Those students who want to take their support of Bobcat basketball to the next level can stand with the Thundercats. Just bring friends who have good jokes and don’t mind yelling.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 2 2007. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry