The 23 Flavors: Rooting For Oakland

Every year in the days between Selection Sunday and the first tip on Thursday afternoon, millions of casual sports fans try as they might to soak up a season's worth of college basketball information to aid in their bracket selections. Inevitably, many of these folks will attempt to be smarter than their friends by going out on a limb with an upset pick. For a lot of people, that pick will be the 13-seed Oakland University over the 4-seed University of Texas. Whether they come up with it on their own based on a cooler mascot or because a national media expert told them to do so, it's already looking like a fairly popular upset pick.

The mere fact that people will be asking questions about Oakland and its basketball team because it is on the big bracket is one of the chief benefits of making the NCAA Tournament field. The attention is definitely warranted, but there are more reasons to be interested in a team like Oakland than its seed line. I've come up with 23 of those reasons below, a number which was picked as a nod to Coach Greg Kampe's favorite soda, Diet Dr. Pepper. You see, OU's coach is a very humorous guy, and that personality trait is on display for fans in his weekly Grizz Talk chats with Paul Kampe of The Oakland Press, his weekly radio show on WXOU, and his pre-game video updates callled "Coach's Corner" on the team's official website. Throughout the season, a meme of sorts has developed and permeated every single one of those updates about Coach Kampe's love of all things Diet Dr. Pepper. The venerable beverage is known for its unique mix of 23 flavors. And just like the DDP, Oakland is a unique program with 23 flavors of its own that make it worthy of the casual basketball fan's attention beyond the confines of your bracket. Presented in no certain order, the 23 flavors for why you should root for Oakland:

#23. Coach Kampe has a running inside joke about a soda!

Some coaches are Twitter fiends, others blog about their coaching experiences, and many more make the rounds with national television shows on the regular. But what coach in the entire nation has a running inside joke about a pop he really enjoys drinking? The Dr. Pepper meme is symbolic of a much broader characteristic of Coach Kampe: he's very media friendly. As an Oakland fan, you will never get bored of listening to this man talk, and he always keeps it real.

#22. Great media support

Those various updates from Coach Kampe wouldn't be possible without a lot of great media support. The Oakland Press covers the entirety of Oakland County, but its year-long coverage of OU basketball is unmatched. Paul Kampe currently serves as the OU beat writer for the paper, and his weekly Grizz Talk show (featuring interviews with Coach Kampe and various players) is a fan favorite. Moreover, his Twitter feed and Grizz Den outlet are great places to go for the latest Oakland news and information. The team also benefits from having some of the best student media coverage out there. Dan Fenner has served as the student newspaper's beat writer for OU hoops all season, and Matt Pocket and Bryan Everson from WXOU student radio have been broadcasting games and hosting shows with Coach Kampe on a weekly basis. Great efforts, all-around.

#21. Top-notch broadcasting and communications

All of Oakland's road games are broadcasted live on WDFN 1130AM with play-by-play from Mario Impemba, who Detroiters likely know better as the voice of the Detroit Tigers. But during the winter months, Impemba spends his time on the road with the Golden Grizzlies. He's joined by Neal Ruhl who provides color commentary and plenty of catchphrases. Ruhl also delivers most of the "Coach's Corner" updates from far-away arenas, offering fans a glimpse into OU's game preparation. The Athletics department also does a fine job of covering the games; for example, this season the game recaps on the official website featured not only an original story and box score, but also photos, video highlights, and post-game press conference video. There's no way you'll be out-of-the-loop as an Oakland fan thanks to these efforts.

#20. A growing program with an appreciation for its roots

While all of you bracket filler-outers watched the Selection Show on CBS, a couple thousand or so Oakland fans mingled in the team's on-campus arena awaiting the seed announcement. There were students, administrators, faculty, and staff in the house as well as numerous alumni, families, and community members enjoying one another's company, free food, and many giveaways. The coaches and team made the rounds to interact with all of the fans. The presentation of the event was at the level of a big-time program, yet the atmosphere of it was one of familiarity. Oakland is a growing program, but it has to this point maintained an appreciation for its roots. It's a great thing with which to be associated.

#19. A glorious three-point shooter

Though players come and go, there is no doubt this year's team features a memorable cast of characters. Redshirt freshman Travis Bader is tops in the nation in three-pointers made among all Division I freshmen. He has made 92 in 34 games, which stands as the most since Seth Curry had 102 in 2008-09 in 35 games played to lead the nation. And Bader's not just jacking up a ton of shots, either. Among those freshman with a minimum of 100 attempts, Bader trails only Kentucky's Doron Lamb in three-point percentage. The young guard's stroke is smooth, giving Oakland the kind of threat on the perimeter that strong tournament teams typically employ. He's also another in a long line of superb three-point shooters Oakland has recruited in recent years, a diamond in the rough kind of guy that the coaching staff has been known to find.

#18. A power-six transfer with a smooth jumper

Though he'll be gone after this season, senior guard Larry Wright puts up 20 points or more every five to six games. In between, he'll still have a presence, but when he's on, he's on. And it just so happens that he is due for one of those stunning performances as his last 20 point effort came six games ago. On a broader level, Wright also represents the kind of power-six transfer player Oakland picks up every now and then. You won't find any McDonald's All-Americans at Oakland, but that doesn't mean there aren't big-time talents on the team in a given year.

#17. A Serbian assassin

Ilija Milutinovic, Oakland's 7-footer from Serbia, hasn't had a whole lot of playing time during his college career, but his best game came in the team's biggest win. Though he only scored four points when Oakland upset Tennessee, they were four very key points that came at a time when Keith Benson was off the court taking care of an injury. Ilija stepped in and filled the void for a brief time. When he hit a fall-back jumper as the shot clock drained out, the ESPNU broadcaster anointed him as "The Serbian Assassin," perhaps one of the best nicknames you will ever hear.

#16. Four-year seniors

There aren't many four-year seniors on elite teams these days, let alone two who do their work on the block. Oakland has such a tandem in seniors Keith Benson and Will Hudson. Combined, the forwards shoot 59% from the field and average 17.2 rebounds per game. They provide the Golden Grizzlies with a dual-threat that is as skilled, strong, and experienced as any other low post duo in the country. During the last few seasons, OU has had a commendable group of seniors each year who graduate while making an impact on the court. These are guys you can support.

#15. Professional talent

Just because no one on the Oakland roster is leaving for the NBA after a year doesn't mean the program hasn't produced professional talent. Rawle Marshall spent some time in the Association in the middle of the aughts, and Keith Benson could very well be the first Golden Grizzly to hear his name called by David Stern this June. Other players have gone on to play professionally overseas. In fact, one of last year's seniors, Derick Nelson, is expected to make his debut in Australia next month, an arrival the local papers have dubbed as "the most high-profile American basketball import" they've seen in that region in a decade.

#14. Michigan-based recruits

There are seven Division I programs in the State of Michigan, including perennial powerhouse Michigan State. With so much competition, Oakland has still been able to nab a number of great in-state recruits over the years. This year's roster features nine Michigan-bred players, including regular contributors Keith Benson, Travis Bader, Drew Valentine, and Larry Wright. As the program has grown, more out-of-state recruits have come aboard, including starters Reggie Hamilton (Illinois) and Will Hudson (Wisconsin), but this team remains a heavy Michigan lean. For casual basketball fans in Michigan, Oakland is a team worth rooting for because it scours the state for strong high school talent and helps develop them into great college basketball players.

#13. A rocking pep band

Oakland's pep band is superb. They're a large and loud group that is just as active during media timeouts while playing the fight song as they are during actual possessions while cheering the team on with chants. They might also put on more face paint and other spirit-related items than the student section. The OU pep band will be there in Tulsa on Friday afternoon to cheer on and play along throughout the game. Dedication.

#12. The Grizz Gang

Although Tulsa is over 16 hours away from Rochester, Michigan, I'm hearing that the university's student government will be sending a couple of busloads of students to the NCAA Tournament game. This is nothing new for Oakland, as it has a history of supporting students' efforts to get to tournament games. The student section has grown rapidly over the last few years, and it even has a chant that is begging to be replicated by other sections around the country. It's three simple words: Poop. Your. Pants. When you hear a couple hundred students through your telecast yelling that in between Texas free throws, good luck holding back the laughter.

#11. Sweet gear

As the higher seed in the Texas game, Oakland will very likely be sporting its all-black uniforms with golden lettering. It's a sleek look, and this year it will be pulled together with some special edition kicks from Nike. The Detroit Free Press ran a story about the new tournament shoes yesterday where you can get a look.

#10. Strength in the non-conference

Does the team you normally follow typically play a measly non-conference schedule? Well, you might not be convinced that Oakland is a legitimate team yet, but there is certainly no denying the strength of its non-conference schedule. Coach Kampe takes on the toughest teams each year in part to help prepare his team for conference play. This season represented a bit of a breakthrough for the Golden Grizzlies as they were competitive in nearly every game they played against power-six schools, including a defining win over then-seventh ranked Tennessee. Every power team Oakland played in November and December is in the NCAA Tournament this season. This is a battle-tested group of guys who will not fear a team because of its conference affiliation.

#9. The Summit League is better than you think

Flowing from that last "flavor," the March-only basketball fan might say, "True, but who does Oakland play in January and February?" This is a very valid question, and providing a convincing answer might prove difficult. The March-only fan has likely never heard of most of Oakland's conference counterparts, and schools with names like IPFW, IUPUI, and UMKC inspire little confidence. But bear with me. This past season was one of the league's best to date, and certainly the strongest since three of its members joined a few seasons ago. In 2008-09, the conference ended the year as the 26th ranked league by RPI; in 2009-10, it was 23rd; and in 2010-11, it was 21st. One must also consider this year's ranking came with the inclusion of a team that very nearly went winless (that team is no longer in the league after this season). While there is still much room for improvement, The Summit League is better than you think - and Oakland just went 20-1 in it, including the tournament.

#8. An exciting brand of basketball

Coach Kampe implemented the dribble-drive offense a few seasons ago, but we are perhaps seeing it at its best this year with Reggie Hamilton as its chief conductor. The team averaged 85.6 points per game this season, which is second in the nation! For my tempo-free compadres, OU's 115.9 adjusted points per 100 possessions ranks 13th in all of Division I. Hamilton has proven to be an elite player off the dribble; his drives not only result in a lot of buckets for himself, but they also open up his teammates for passes on the perimeter. This dynamic has given Oakland a high-octane offense that is just as exciting in transition as it is in the half-court.

#7. The consummate team leader

Speaking of Reggie Hamilton, the redshirt junior has been a joy to watch this season. He's a versatile guard who shoots a high-percentage because of his ability to get great looks around the basket. But he's also a strong three-point shooter. Where Bader gets most of his looks in catch-and-shoot situations through screens or spot-ups in the corner, Hamilton can knock a defender off his feet with just a few dribbles. More often than not, that's all he needs to get enough space for the three-point attempt. His end-to-end speed and agility make him a tough guy to stay in front of no matter the situation. Most importantly, Hamilton has all of the intangibles a fan would seek in a high-profile talent: he's confident and well-spoken, and his teammates are ultimately better off because of his leadership.

#6. Black and gold

Are there two greater colors in existence? Give me black and gold over green and white, Carolina blue, or burnt orange any day.

#5. Depth

As the Oakland program has grown, so too has its recruiting profile. Consequently, there are some really good players buried on Oakland's bench who might be full-time players elsewhere. Because of the talent level on this year's roster, we haven't seen as much of talented underclassmen like sophomore Ledrick Eackles or freshman Ryan Bass. Eackles' biggest game of his career came in last year's NCAA Tournament, but a number of factors - including injury - have limited his playing time this season. Still, anyone who saw Eackles go up against Pittsburgh's guards last season know the young Louisiana native has a bevy of skills. Ryan Bass was too good for the team to redshirt him, and we've seen glimpses as to why when he's had a chance to play. Bass is a great passer and has shown a tenacity on the defensive end that, if cultivated, could make him a ballhawk in future seasons. There is also Blake Cushingberry, a big guard who can shoot the three, but he missed the season with a knee injury. Though it may seem like Oakland doesn't have much depth when one sees that six players get a majority of the minutes, the talent is definitely there.

#4. A yeoman's effort

If you want to root for a hard-working guy who never takes a play off, look for number 4 of the Golden Grizzlies as senior Will Hudson fits that description perfectly. Though anyone who watches an Oakland game could tell you that, we can also look at Hudson's offensive rebounding figures to back up the statement. Offensive rebounds are often the result of pure effort, and this 6-foot-9 forward has amassed 127 offensive rebounds this season. That's ten more on the offensive glass than he's had on the defensive glass, and it's a mark good enough for sixth in the entire nation (interestingly, Texas' Tristan Thompson has one more than Hudson). Will goes to work on every possession on both ends of the court.

#3. Confidence

During the stretch run, Oakland's players displayed a sense of confidence for the ages. There's not much showboating or chest-pounding with this team. Just confidence. They've played in some of the nation's toughest arenas this season against tournament teams, and they just finished going 20-1 against The Summit League, including three resounding wins in the conference tournament. Throughout league play, every Summit team gave Oakland its best shot yet fell short. It takes a lot of focus to get through such a schedule with nary a slip-up while remaining hungry and humble. One of the team's standout players during league season was sophomore Drew Valentine, and he continues to ooze with the confidence he's gained over the last three months. On the approaching tournament match-up, he told the Detroit News: "I want to be that guy that defends their best player."

#2. An NBA prospect in the middle

Per game averages: 18.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 blocks. Nineteen double-doubles. 55.3% shooting from the field. The conference Player of the Year award and top defensive player honor. Keith Benson is a dominant player, perhaps the most dominant at his level. There's no show to his game. He does what's necessary to he help his team win, and it just so happens that by doing so he ends up with double-doubles and a number of crowd-pleasing blocks. If you're jumping on the wagon today, there might not be many more chances to see the big man as he's a senior and on his way to a professional career. But for now, there's a game coming up against Texas. Everything's bigger in Texas, they say, and that is certainly true of the Longhorn frontcourt as a whole. But Keith Benson, in an elimination game on the biggest of stages, might have something to say about that. And as fans, it's just a pleasure to sit back and enjoy.

#1. Longevity and loyalty

Coach Kampe has been at Oakland for 27 years. He built the program from the ground up into a winner at the Division II level, oversaw the transition to Division I at the turn of the century, and now leads it into its third NCAA Tournament. Though it should almost be expected that some bigger schools will make a few calls to Coach Kampe this offseason about coaching vacancies, precedent suggests that those phone calls won't go very far. Kampe is an institution at Oakland, so there's not much reason to worry about it all ending the day a Big East school comes calling like you might encounter with some other strong mid-major programs. To end this, I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Coach Kampe. During last year's March Madness, he was asked a question about why he stays at Oakland, and the answer is pretty moving:

"It's amazing how often I get asked that. It really is. I've tried to change the answer just for the fun of it. But it really comes back down to the grass is always greener on the other side. And I'm just a guy who -- I come from Defiance, Ohio, little town. My dad put fertilizer on his yard and he tried to make it as green as he could make it. So pretty much my background -- this is my job, not to chase other jobs, but to do my job as best I can. And I really view that my job is to make Oakland a special place. I've said that many times and I'll say it again. And when I'm done with this thing I hope that people think it's a special place that kids want to go there. And we won a lot of games and we won them in the right way with good people and with good kids. And I'm also lucky that I have pretty good job security. [...] There's also something to be able to walk across the campus, to know everyone on the campus from the janitors to cooks. That's kind of a good lifestyle."

Without a doubt, Oakland is a great program to root for. So pick the Golden Grizzlies on your bracket, but don't be afraid to stick around for a while.

What We Can Learn From The Butler Way

By now, everyone knows about Butler. The school's 2009-10 season inspired countless articles and blog posts, a book, and even all-access features by ESPN usually reserved for the blue bloods. Gordon Hayward's last shot in the national championship game has its own Sports Science episode. The word is out there, and the words haven't stopped. Last weekend, Butler played Duke in a rematch of last year's grand finale, which inspired loads of feature stories, Tweets, and commentary from the national media. It was clear that even though this year's Butler team had a different make-up, their story was still worth telling.

The way Butler goes about its business - The Butler Way, as it has been termed - is unique. Butler plays a magnificent brand of basketball which has been employed to beat the biggest of opponents despite a steep talent differential. Seeing it up close and personal, as I did just a few weeks ago, cements that concept. But perhaps the most alluring thing about The Butler Way isn't what happens on the court, but that which occurs around it.

As a fan of Oakland basketball and the university, I was interested to experience The Butler Way firsthand to see how they had done it and how it differed from OU. I quickly found out Oakland basketball is not heading in a direction to be like Butler basketball. Even though "the next Butler" might replace "the next Gonzaga" in the mid-major lexicon, I'm not sure any program out there can be like Butler. That becomes apparent when you visit the Butler campus, nestled in a peaceful neighborhood of Indianapolis, and its historic arena, Hinkle Fieldhouse. There is just too much tradition there to be replicated overnight. But mid-major programs like Oakland can still learn a bit from The Butler Way.

I voyaged to Hinkle Fieldhouse as a part of a mini-hoops road trip which also took a friend and I to a game at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana, and the Oakland-Purdue match in West Lafayette. The Oakland game was obviously the most anticipated of the three, yet the experience at Hinkle continues to stand out as the most memorable from that weekend. After parking on a neighborhood side street, the first thing that struck me as we made our walk to Hinkle was the sheer number of people who were doing the same. It seemed as if though every street was pouring folks clad in Butler Blue toward the fieldhouse for the afternoon basketball match. Butler basketball was an event. It was worth taking a few hours out of your day off to see something special transpire on the court (as the Butler basketball team rarely let folks down). Most importantly, it was something to do with your friends, family, kids, or whoever else desired to see such an event.

These fans weren't there because of the Final Four appearance. You got the sense the gray-haired man in the Butler sweater had been doing this for most of his adult life, and that he was grooming the 10-year old grandkid following him around to continue to do so for most of his own. There were young families, maybe folks who were new to Indianapolis, who had bought-in at some point. Drifting around the campus a few hours before the game, the few scattered student present were wearing their DAWG POUND shirts, presumably readying themselves for their student section duties that afternoon. And in the neighborhoods surrounding Hinkle, homes had Bulldogs banners hanging outside. There was even a vehicle driving by with one of those flapping car flags emblazoned with the Butler Bulldog!

All of this was for a tiny school in a city with three universities, an NBA franchise, and a perennial powerhouse in the NFL in a state with one of the most storied college football schools and one of the tradition-rich college basketball powers. Sitting there in Hinkle, I wondered how Butler basketball was able to rise above all of these competing sports interests to form the community it had. How was this team this important to this many people?

The answer to that question is complicated. A big factor is time, of which Butler has had a lot of to build a winning program and, perhaps just as importantly, a larger base of alumni and supporters. But I think another component is the character of the program. The players are touted as good students, the coach is incredibly likable, and the fans are great. The latter group is cordial, encouraging, and seemingly grateful for what they have. They want their team to win, of course, but it's almost as if the complete experience of attending the games and cheering the Bulldogs is the means of their fandom. At less lucky or more entitled schools, fandom is an end only achieved if the team is winning games. At Butler, you get the sense this will go on forever.

Oakland faces a lot of the same struggles that Butler has faced and maybe even more. After all, metro-Detroit also has an NHL franchise and loads of alumni from the state's two biggest schools which have both storied college football and basketball programs. Still, Butler has managed to build a supportive community of fans among the diverse subsets - students, faculty, alumni, and community members at-large. They can fill Hinkle Fieldhouse to the rafters, making Butler basketball an event. And it's not just an event that you show up to. No, you come fully decked out in your Butler Blue apparel or whatever you can manage to show you are rooting for the home team.

Over the past few years, Oakland basketball has been building to the point of becoming an event in the Rochester area. I was fortunate enough to be a student during this time period that featured growing crowds and, yes, a lot of winning. I'm bought in, probably for life. And my extended family has bought in, too. This trend among young alumni will surely continue to grow as students graduate from the active Grizz Gang to the Gold Zone. But where Oakland can really learn from Butler is in activating those at-large community members, the folks with no real connection to the school other than location. Mid-major basketball isn't the easiest sell in the world to a casual observer, but Oakland's basketball product is rather marketable. It just needs to be marketed.

That last statement isn't a condemnation of the university's efforts to promote Oakland basketball as much as it is a reminder that there can always be improvement. It's not just on the university, it also requires cooperation from the media, both print and television (and Oakland should have a great opportunity to sell itself on Saturday against Michigan State at The Palace). But the biggest effort can be made at the grassroots level by us as fans. As Coach Kampe noted after a recent game, we've got to spread the word about Oakland basketball. We can tell everyone we know to watch the team on Fox Sports Detroit this Saturday, and if they like what they see, we can bring them to the O'Rena later this month. I've been to Butler and seen what that atmosphere is like, and it's chilling. I believe Oakland's fanbase can get to the point where Golden Grizzlies basketball is an event and the atmosphere is consistently chilling. We each just have to do what we can to help it get to that point.

The Genesis Of A Fan

I'm not sure exactly how it all came together. In fact, it might not have been basketball related at all. Yet somehow I ended up in Cleveland on Saturday, November 15, 2008, along with three of my closest friends to take in the first game of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies basketball season. While we were all basketball fans, none of us had yet reached that point where it was considered a duty to attend every OU game possible, let alone a road game. I had personally been a pretty standard fan with little interest beyond what happened in March and if it meant I'd see my school's name on the bracket. November basketball games hardly registered with me, especially considering none of them were ever at home. But when the 2008-09 schedule came out, the Cleveland date looked to me an opportunity to see a game for once during the early months. As a student, mid-November can be a particularly painful part of the semester, just a few weeks prior to the onslaught of finals. Knowing this, I figured a roadtrip to Cleveland would be a nice way to get away, and I was fortunate a few other kindred spirits agreed.

We set out for Cleveland rather early, hoping to take in a bit of the town prior to watching the game. The drive, however, lasted much longer than anticipated thanks to a neverending rainstorm which followed us down I-75 and into Ohio. We passed Toledo but could barely make out the city's structures; the rain was that bad. Navigating Cleveland proved difficult as well, yet just like the initial plan, we somehow found our way. In our soaked clothes and waterlogged shoes, we managed to traverse the busy streets of Cleveland, though we were clearly in the minority as far as sports allegiances went. Most of the city's pedestrians were headed for the Quicken Loans Arena on this evening to witness its favorite son, LeBron James, take on the Utah Jazz. Clearly better times for Clevelanders.

Perhaps it was the combination of the nasty weather and the Cavaliers game, but on this night Cleveland State's Wolstein Center was largely empty. The facility itself has a wonderful facade and features two bowls not unlike Eastern Michigan's Convocation Center. Though during this season opener, that upper bowl could have been sectioned off as if it were an oversized football dome hosting a basketball game. The lower bowl was mostly a mix of what appeared to be casual observers and a few of those die-hard fans who proudly sport team apparel they likely bought 20 years ago. The student presence was laughable, with no discernible student section anywhere in the building. All of this despite the fact that the two teams taking the court that night would end up in their respective conference championship games in just four short months.

Prior to the tip, we had learned that one of Oakland's returning seniors, Derick Nelson, had suffered an injury the day before leaving for Cleveland which would threaten his season. As a novice Oakland fan at the time, one of my illustrious friends had to explain to me the significance of this situation. Oakland would have to lean on the contributions of two freshmen, Blake Cushingberry and Drew Maynard, at the forward position without Nelson in the lineup. This news didn't mean much to me then. Little did I know that just two years later, Nelson would be the player who willed the Grizzlies to a Summit League tournament championship, in turn providing me with a chance to fulfill a basketball fan's ultimate dream of storming the court.

Aside from Nelson's injury, there were other question marks for the team heading into the season. Shane Lawal was gone and the scrawny Keith Benson would get a chance to start in the post. Johnathon Jones was always a starter, but it was presumed that his contributions would increase even more in his junior campaign. These two players, perhaps more than any other, were to be responsible for whatever level of success would come to the Grizzlies in 08-09.

Within seconds of the tip against Cleveland State, all indications pointed to Oakland being just fine. I'll never forget the moment: Johnathon Jones had just got the ball off the tip, darted toward his side of the court, and found a streaking Keith Benson for a thunderous alley-oop dunk. It was a play that would be utilized throughout the season and one that clearly was representative of the roles of Jones as facilitator and Benson as low-post dominator. Even though it was not that long ago, if I had to point to a moment where I went from a casual Grizzlies fan to an intense fanatic, it was on that alley-oop dunk. The rest of the game had its ups and downs, and eventually Cleveland State pulled away in the waning minutes with the win. Even though Oakland lost the game, Benson had emerged with a double-double and Jones, despite having an off night, showed that facilitation would prove simpler with Benson occupying the paint.

Though our spirits were down a bit from the loss, my friends and I left Cleveland feeling good about our opportunity to support our school on the road. Opportunities to do it again would be few and far between for the rest of the season, but that night sparked in us a deeper connection with the program. I attended every subsequent home game that year and followed every road game through internet radio, live stats, or television - essentially whatever was available. One of my fondest memories of the rest of that season is of listening to the Oregon game with two friends huddled around a laptop with a bad Internet connection. Just as Oakland was making a push to send the game into overtime, the connection gave out. We wouldn't get the connection back until Johnathon Jones was making his mark in extra minutes, leading the Grizzlies to a rare west coast win over a Pac 10 school.

Since the early days of that 2008-09 season, I have found myself as committed as ever as a Golden Grizzlies fan. This blog was born out of that commitment with the purpose of sharing fan experiences and to further extend Oakland basketball's presence on the web, especially given the recent rise in team-specific blogs offering thoughtful, unique perspectives on the issues facing the teams they cover. Perhaps most important, I hope that stories like this and others offered previously help to ignite in readers a desire to become more involved as a fan - whether by attending one more home game than usual, taking a road trip to an away game, posting thoughts on a community forum, wearing OU apparel, or bringing up Golden Grizzlies basketball in casual conversation. As a "little" school in the shadow of some "big" competitors, every little bit we can do helps in the effort to bring all Grizzlies together.

The Importance Of Signage For The O'Rena

Last summer I had the opportunity to check out many college basketball arenas while on an extended road trip of the Midwest and East Coast. Even though there were no games being played at the time, I made a point of checking out the various arenas, whether it was for the storied traditions of The Palestra in Philadelphia or simply the mammoth size of Syracuse's Carrier Dome. As a fan and graduate of a mid-major school, it was also interesting to think about the differences between these places and the arena where I have most frequented games: the O'Rena at Oakland. Aside from the typical things we think about in comparing and contrasting mid-major to high-major arenas (as in...size), what struck me most about the larger places was the signage. Almost every school had large signs or billboards indicating the arena as "the home of the ____." Sadly, Oakland University has no such indicators.

Signage has to be done tastefully and in a manner that is appropriate for the particular school. For example, a gaudy electronic sign like those one sees on I-75 for The Palace of Auburn Hills would not work for the O'Rena. In my limited travels, the best university arena signage I have encountered was at the University of Pittsburgh's Petersen Events Center. The arena itself is rather imposing, sitting at the top of one of the city's steep hills, with what seems like thousands of stairs to climb to reach the entrance from street level (and vaguely similar to those at Joe Louis Arena). The inside concourse is set inside a glass atrium, and it is nothing short of visually stunning and entirely modern. With all the glass and stairs making up the facade of the Petersen Events Center, the university opted to put its signage on bricks nearer to the street level. The lettering is classy and fitting of a university structure which still acknowledging the fact that some high-level hoops action goes on inside. In a sense, it's perfect.

Since I saw the front entrance to the Petersen Events Center, I have been unable to get that lettering off my mind, especially when I go to an Oakland home game. It is always a pleasure to see a flood of people entering the on-campus arena, but it never truly feels like we're entering a place where basketball is about to be played. For that reason and more, I believe that the O'Rena could benefit from some subtle signage in the same vein as the one showcased at Pitt. Presently, the front of the O'Rena is hard to distinguish from any other academic building, mainly because its facade is fairly unassuming. Additionally, folks who pass by may confuse it for the Recreation Center because of how it connects to the O'Rena and due to fact that the Rec Center's entrance is much more alluring.

There is already room available for the fresh signange on the existing structure. As I attempted to picture below, there is a rather large area of brick located above the stairs to the doors of the O'Rena. I have seen banners in this spot before, though they always look a bit tacky. Instead, some resources could be allocated toward the purchase of classy lettering like that at Petersen. Just imagine the phrase "Athletics Center O'Rena...Home of the Golden Grizzlies" attached to those bricks (or some other variation). Not only would it serve the practical purpose of identifying the building, but it would further aid in providing spectators and students with a stronger sense of pride in the program.

Certainly in today's tough economic climate, it may be difficult to justify spending money on what essentially comes down to an aesthetic addition (plus, there is already a smaller sign near the road, as is the case with every other building at OU). I understand that and realize it is a long shot. However, if there is an alumnus out there looking for a pet donation project to take on at Oakland, I would strongly urge looking into what can be done about increasing the O'Rena's curb appeal. A few letters on the outside bricks would surely accomplish the goal of making Oakland University basketball's facility more like a basketball home.

Student Section Chronicles: Oakland + Wrap-Up

Many words have been and will continue to be written here about the Grizz Gang. As Oakland's official student section, it is the organization that supports and cheers on the basketball teams every year, (hopefully) through the good seasons and the bad. It was a place I revered more than any other during my time at Oakland, where my friends and I would come together to have a good time and cheer the Golden Grizzlies to victory. During my senior season, we had some of the best times of my four years in Rochester, occasionally painting our faces, making signs, and getting our non-basketball friends to come check it out in an attempt to win them over with the atmosphere.

Just as often, however, I enjoyed the games over breaks when bodies in the student section were hard to come by, and the game could be enjoyed for the game from a seat in section E2. That's the basketball nerd in me. Games like this might be a thing of the past in the near future as the Grizz Gang continues to grow and reach more students across the grounds of Oakland U who may be more inclined to make trips to the O'Rena during wintry breaks from school. One thing is for sure, they will have a dedicated group of individuals leading them every night. One of those individuals, Danny Malendowski, will be serving as a Grizz Gang leader this season in what will be his senior year, attempting to help bridge the gap between the seminal leaders of years past and those of the near future. Due to his current position and loyalty to the program, I knew Danny would be a great person to wrap up our Student Section Chronicles with in featuring the Grizz Gang.

Name of the student section: Grizz Gang

Describe the history of your student section. How long has it existed in its current state?

Well, although my knowledge of Grizz Gang lore is far from being the best, I would say it has existed in its current state for about 5 or so years. Like all organizations, we have evolved and hopefully improved over time. We are just trying to keep everything moving forward.

Does your student section require/recommend a certain shirt (or shirt color) be worn?

We have a number of shirts that could be considered Grizz Gang shirts from our various events. However, we do have a main shirt that people associate with the Grizz Gang (left), though I must say my favorite is the student designed one (right).

How are tickets allocated for students in the student section?

We do not have tickets. Like many small schools students get in free, but we do have an allocated section which holds 250ish. We overflowed by a lot last year versus Oral Roberts and hope to do that more frequently in the future.

Where are you located at in the arena, and what is your favorite part about such placement?

We are right behind the visitor bench, which is awesome because it makes you feel like you are being heard by the opposition. We kind of make that whole corner ours with the band and the over flow. It is a cool visual effect.

What are the two to three biggest games for your student section each year?

Well, whenever we play Michigan or MSU those are big, but they are normally at the Palace. Without a doubt the Oral Roberts game is the biggest. The NDSU and IUPUI games have been phenomenal games, but unfortunately they have often been during winter breaks, so there has been lower student attendance.

What struggles does your student section face every year?

Well we have been growing significantly every year, so this year's crew is just trying not to screw things up. Obviously you always want as much attendance and recognition as possible. As long as we are always moving in a positive direction that is good. We just need to sustain this following in years where we aren't necessarily one of the favorites in the Summit League.

Describe your most original chant, or a memory of a particular experience in the student section?

I will never forget how electric the Oral Roberts game was this year, and Johnathon Jone's game-winning shot. I thought the 'O' was going to explode! I can't think of an incredibly original chant but I would categorize us as a somewhat mean student section. Kevin Ford and Dominique Morrison were by far our least favorite players last year and we are getting better at doing research before the game on the players. Historically, Grizz Gang's least favorite player is Robert Jarvis (former Oral Roberts point guard). We referred to him as "Midget Mac" after the dude from "I Love New York." Honestly Google him. He looks just like him.

Do the students at your school have any unique rituals performed before big games? Or do you have a specific experience to share if it is not something customarily done?

Every year before the Oral Roberts game we have Guard the Grizz where we get together - in the single digit temperatures - the night before the Saturday game by the Grizzly statue the adorns the front of the O'Rena. We have an eagle pinata that we destroy, and it is always fun chilling late into the night before the game the next day. It is good to get everyone's energy up.

Why do you ultimately choose to be a part of the student section at your school?

I have always loved basketball, and I think to be a part of OU basketball at this point in time is really special. We are growing in support and notoriety. We are ultimately all in a student section to be with our friends and enjoy this awesome game in a group atmosphere which cannot be replicated. I love being a part of this!

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Over the past three weeks we have attempted to shine a light on student sections across The Summit League. While we were unable to interview representatives from all of the schools (if anyone from Southern Utah is reading, please get in touch!), we hope that the preceding posts offered as comprehensive a look at these entities that can be found on the net. After reading through all of the pieces, it's fairly clear that all the schools in this conference face similar struggles: lack of student attendance, subpar student participation, and little to no long-term stability. Even though life isn't always peachy in Summit League student sections, they still offer many dedicated fans the chance to support their basketball teams while having a good time in the process. These common traits tie us all together, because even when we're heckling the other team's players and coaches, we're all fighting the same fight in the end, one hoarse voice at a time.

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Other Q&A pieces from our Summit League Student Section Chronicles:

- IPFW

- IUPUI

- North Dakota State

- Oral Roberts

- South Dakota State

- Western Illinois

- UMKC

The State of the Program: Part III

The following is the third and final part in a series about the state of the Oakland University basketball program. So often such addresses are delivered by the heads of state (or in this case, the program), but for today this is from the perspective of an outsider, a dedicated fan.

Being a sports fan is inherently about community. We express our fanaticism for our favorite teams by wearing clothes, attending games, joining forums, reading analysis and recaps, and - in some cases - writing about the experience ourselves. All of these things connect us to other supporters of the team. The shared interest flows from one fan to the other, it spurs conversation, and ultimately makes us happier individuals.

For college basketball, a strong community of supporters is absolutely essential in developing a happy program. When fans don school colors, the school wins from increased exposure. When fans attend games, it helps bring in much-needed revenue. When fans talk about the games and read the recaps, it makes it possible for a local paper to support a beat writer who in turn exposes the program to wider audiences. And when all of these combine, the program can do wonders not just for itself, but for the stature of the university as a whole, too.

Fortunately, at Oakland University all of these facets have been coming together nicely over the past few seasons. University apparel has been made available at nearby supermarkets, and local businesses have slowly embraced the university's swag. Students, while never lacking the opportunity to obtain a free shirt at OU, still have a tendency to wear gear from other universities, but progress has been made at games and especially while in the student section. Black-outs have become the norm for students at big games, evidenced at last season's homecoming game against Oral Roberts.

Attendance figures as a whole have been great the past few seasons. The average attendance was steady in the mid-2000s before surging in the 2008-2009 season due to two games at the Palace of Auburn Hills that were counted as home games despite a larger crowd advantage for the visiting teams (Michigan and Michigan State). Still, the increase that season was good enough for second largest increase in the nation, and the opportunity to play home games at the Palace should not be discounted. This past season saw the largest growth sans a Palace game. Average attendance was 2,733, no doubt boosted by increasing student participation as well as community interest in a team that eventually won a conference championship and NCAA tournament bid. The sense of community emanating from the O'Rena is surely something to behold and a strong indicator of the program's current success.

This community sense has also been enhanced by technology. While he's yet to join the Twitter revolution like conference colleague Scott Nagy, Coach Greg Kampe gave fans insight into the team's preparation before every game on OUGrizzlies.com via video updates. For a team that does not receive regular attention on national or regional media outlets, such updates have been key in giving fans the inside scoop so many other schools have the privilege of receiving. Furthermore, the Oakland Press has been instrumental in giving access to fans through the efforts of beat reporter Paul Kampe and Doug Pemberton before him. They have found success in adapting with the times by offering a weekly video interview series known as Grizz Talk on their website. Credit should also be given to the student newspaper which has gracefully fulfilled its role of updating students on news and events regarding the program. Finally, fans have also been involved through a forum that features many dedicated supporters who discuss, analyze, and link to anything going on with the program. All great programs have such outlets for fan expression, and the Grizzlies community has come together to offer one of the best in the conference.

The commitment from administrators, students, alumni, and community members to Golden Grizzlies basketball has been growing over the years. Many will say that 2010's NCAA Tournament appearance was validation that the commitment and emotional investment was worth it. After all, OU was featured on the front pages of the Detroit News and Free Press and on FOX 2, WDIV 4, and Channel 7 throughout the days leading up to the game against Pittsburgh. There were also stories and breakdowns on any number of the national college basketball websites and blogs in cyberspace. And there was a buzz amongst fans on-campus, especially as 100 students boarded buses to attend the NCAA game in Milwaukee where the students, combined with family members, alumni, and other fans, made for a formidable OU support section. It was clearly a good time to be a Grizzly this past March, and the positive effects of that experience should continue to be seen in the future.

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It is my hope that after reading these last few posts about The State of the Golden Grizzlies basketball that a light was given to some aspects of the program that are sometimes overlooked. I'd never want to bypass the impact that Coach Greg Kampe and the coaching staff, athletics staff, senior administrators, and donors make on the program. But the recent success the program has had in broadcasting, graduation rates, and community-building are paramount to this process as well. As a recent graduate, it is my hope that the OU program will continue on this exciting path which has brought the university more exposure in the local area, the state, and the nation. Most of all, it is hoped that the special community that has grown out of this basketball program can continue to be a rewarding and positive one which fosters more traditions, more friendships, and more everlasting memories.