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'Dogs benefit from bigger student section

By Maggie Thach
The Collegian

Head coach Pat Hill sees a difference in Bulldog Stadium this year. It isn’t the way his players are playing; it’s the way the student section has come alive. This year’s home opener against Weber State didn’t bring in as many fans as Portland State in 2004 but never has Hill seen such enthusiasm.

Even with blow-out wins over Weber State and Toledo, the student section stayed until the end and stood the duration of the game.

“They’re bouncing and yelling,” Hill said. “The student section has been the best I’ve seen in years. It’s the best [student section] in the conference by far.”

And Hill expects nothing less for the homecoming game Saturday against WAC newcomer Utah State.
“The noise and the electricity,” Hill said. “It definitely hinders the other team.”

That’s the best part of cheering for Troy Jacques, a mass communications and journalism major. With the student section right behind the opposing team’s bench, students are within earshot of the players.

“That’s key being behind the players’ bench,” Jacques said. “It’s fun knowing when players are on the sidelines and you just get into their heads.”

The rowdy fans have had an affect on players, as well.

“Every time we give them the signal, or when it’s a third down, they cheer,” linebacker Dwayne Andrews said. “It’s a really good relationship with us and the fans. We do something for them by making a big play and they do something for us by cheering.”

Hill said the students in the student section are excited because some of them are cheering for people they know. Hill said a majority of the players are from California and most are from the San Joaquin Valley. Most of the students are cheering for guys they went to high school with.

But, no matter why the students come out and cheer, Hill knows the importance of a big-time crowd.

“When I took this job, they told me there was no student support,” Hill said. “I’m very proud of the students. It’s their school, their team. Our student section could compete with the bigger schools. We’re growing. It could be the start of a new tradition.”


	October 14, 2005 California State University, Fresno