At Siegel, student section among best in country
VCU’s student section has made it to the final rounds of a competition that votes on the nation’s best student section.
Zachary Holden
Staff Writer
We all know the VCU student section is one of the loudest, rowdiest, most energetic crowds in the nation. Finally, it’s getting the recognition it deserves.
The Naismith Student Section of the Year contest started Jan. 17 to find the best student section in the country. All schools were eligible to participate and the schools that made it into the “Sweet Sixteen” were decided based on the number of votes they received.
VCU led the way for most of the voting, occasionally surpassed by the Kansas Jayhawks, only for the Rams to regain the lead shortly after. When it came down to cut time, VCU made it with ease.
Joining them are Kansas, Syracuse, Illinois, Indiana, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Gonzaga, Marquette, Iowa State, Southern University, Utah State, Colorado, Valparaiso, along with fellow Atlantic 10 members Saint Joseph’s and St. Bonaventure.
Voting for the final round ends on Feb. 22 to narrow the field down to eight, from which the judges will choose from. Judging will take place over the course of 12 days and is based on a specific criteria to determine who ends up with the highest number of total points.
The criteria are: name of the student section (10 points); does the student section coordinate their attire (10 points); average attendance compared to overall capacity (up to 10 points); spirit captured by photo submissions (up to 10 points); spirit captured by video submissions (up to 10 points); rank after voting ends (top school gets 10 points, second gets nine points, etc.); and review of the paragraph sent for nomination as to why the student section deserves recognition (up to 10 points) for a potential total of 70 points.
VCU head coach Shaka Smart praises the student section game after game, which he said always gives the team 110 percent.
“I think our student section is as good as anybody’s around. I think our fans in general, specifically our students, give us a big life (and) a lot of energy,” Smart said. “I’ve always said there’s a real strong connection here, more so than any school I’ve ever been at between the students and the players. That’s how it should be, but it’s not like that everywhere and I don’t take it for granted.”
The Grand Prize winning school will receive the official Naismith plaque of recognition for the “Best Student Section” as well as a $10,000 donation to the school’s general scholarship fund.
Students and fans can vote daily via Facebook by liking the “I Love College Hoops” page and clicking the link until Feb. 22. The Rams currently rank third in the voting.