Revamping the Red Storm is vital to SIUE athletics.
With the sixth man breathing down the opponents necks, momentum can shift in a heartbeat, free throws miss the target and floors get rushed after victories.
As is the case with any Division I university, SIUE has two basketball teams: a men's team and a women's team. The men's team will be the one receiving all the media attention and the majority of the student support, but keep in mind Head Coach Amanda Levens and her team this season when heading down to the Vadalabene Center.
Friday presents a scheduling conflict for those who care about SIUE basketball. If you are not going to the University of Illinois to watch the men's team take on the No. 23 Illini or streaming the game on ESPN360.com, the women's team opens the season at home against Morehead State University, the team to beat in the Ohio Valley Conference.
If you would rather watch a game in person and are not making the trip to Champaign, the women would greatly appreciate your support against the best their future conference has to offer.
They'll probably even announce updates on the men's game as it happens, so you really are not missing out on much and still supporting Cougar athletics.
Sunday, the men have a huge home opener against an in-state team with star power coming off a near-miss on an NCAA tournament birth. Conveniently, it is scheduled on the flip-side of a double header, opening with the women's team against a big-name in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Tailgates are great, and it's hard to keep a buzz during the span of two basketball games, but fans and the Red Storm should do their best to give both squads attention. All things considered, the fan support for the women Saturday night against the University of Missouri-St. Louis was adequate, and I commend the group heckling UMSL's players behind me on the media bench. The Cougars need support like that more often.
With two games on Sunday, I advise students to tailgate hard and cheer even harder. Heckle the opposition relentlessly. Unanimously pick a player, and let them have it the whole game. For the women, it might be Milwaukee's Ashley Imperiale because she has a funky last name. For the men, it has to be ISU's Bobby Hill…propane.
It's time to show the nation what SIUE's fans are all about.
11.12.2009
Another plea to the Red Storm
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Allan J. Lewis
