Thunder Crew seeks to improve student section

The rapidly growing Thunder Crew is looking to expand its presence around campus. The group is seeking a budget of $28,000 from the Student Activities Budget Committee to make improvements to the student section as a whole.

Thunder Crew President Patrick Gamble proposed the budget, the bulk of which would fund a student lounge in the Centennial Center that would be used during basketball games. The budget is subject to approval by the SABC.

“We’ve had tremendous growth this past year as an organization, and we want to continue to enhance that going into next year,” Gamble said.

Gamble asked for $16,500 to help fund the student lounge, the main-ticket item of the renovations and improvements. The proposed lounge would take up the space behind the student section, which is currently only used for racquetball and is closed off during games. It would closely resemble The DEN, Georgia College’s student lounge, and Gamble said it wouldn’t be unlike the Atlanta Braves’ 755 Club at Turner Field.

“You would walk in and all the lights will be off, and there will be hanging lights from the ceiling,” Gamble said. “You’ll have a few high-top tables for food, and there will be a private concession stand with free food for all students who are in the student section. It will be decorated with couches from Ikea.”

The lounge will also contain features designed to help keep students in the game atmosphere.

“Our organization is really open.  You’re automatically a member as a student.”

Patrick Gamble, Thunder Crew President

“We will have two 45-inch flat screen televisions that will broadcast live game footage,” Gamble said. “So if you want to step out of the stands and go get a drink or something, you’ll be able to stay connected and also listening to it.”

Furthermore, the lounge will provide students with relics from Georgia College’s athletic history.

“There will be different jerseys from the past on the wall. People know a lot about sports on our campus, but not necessarily our numbers,” Gamble said. “So we want to get some stuff from past Hall of Famers, so the students will be more connected.”

Gamble added that there will be key events for Bobcat fans to look forward to, such as the return of the “Battle of the Cats,” the rivalry game between Georgia College and Augusta State University. The hype behind the game lead to the Bobcats men’s basketball team upsetting No. 7 Augusta State, 73-69–the two teams will once again play at Georgia College next season. The student attendance for that game earned the Thunder Crew an NCAA Spirit Award nomination.

Thunder Crew budget breakdown:

- Seeking $28,000 from SABC

- $16,500 designated to fund student lounge (lights, concession stand, Ikea couches, two 45-inch flat screen televisions)

- Left over funds allocated for game merchandise and other items for students

“We want to continue to build that up as well as tailgating,” Gamble said. “We want to look into more game environment merchandise. We’re known for giving out free T-shirts, free hand towels and stuff. We want to take that to the next level and get more sponsorships. We want to take everything from last year and build a humongous student section to where every game, it’s full blown.”

Gamble is aware that $28,000 is a hefty investment, but he said it will be a strong benefit to the student population.

“If anything, there’s a lot of things on campus that make an impact on students. The Thunder Crew is really one of those things that really involves every student,” Gamble said. “Our organization is really open. You’re automatically a member as a student. Every single student on this campus can have the opportunity to be a part of the student section.”

Gamble said in addition to the 47 percent increase of student attendance at basketball games last season, he thinks the addition of the new lounge and other items will benefit all Georgia College sports.

One new potential addition is a Thunder Crew swipe card similar to the student Bobcat Cards with sponsors on the back.

“This would be an all-sports pass where you could get deals from the sponsors,” Gamble said. “You would swipe into the games and rack up points, and whoever has the top number of points at the end of a season gets a prize.”

Athletic Director Wendell Staton has lent his support to Gamble and the Thunder Crew.

“They were instrumental in helping purchase those banners last year. We have been able to put our brand out there and change the culture and identity of the Centennial Center,” Staton said. “We are always appreciative of any student group that wants to help out. Pat has some good ideas, and the Thunder Crew has done a great job of really adding the spirit environment to the games.”

Posted by Scotty Thompson on Apr 28 2011. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.