It’s a Friday or Saturday night and the nation’s 2nd-leading scorer, SLCC Lady Bruins shooting guard Haley Holmstead and her teammates put on another awesome basketball show at Bruin Arena. There are TV cameras, live radio broadcasts, announcers, enthusiastic and hard-working cheerleaders, concessions and cute little kids singing the national anthem.
Best of all, there are two very high-caliber junior college basketball teams out on the floor for all of us Bruins to be proud of and enjoy—there’s just one thing missing…you.
Seriously, where are you? It saddens me to see our student section half empty during crucial ballgames. Who doesn’t want to be obnoxious, loud and have a great time on live TV? As a sportswriter for this publication and the TV play-by-play voice of SLCC sports, I can tell you how.
It’s a one-step process. Bring your Bruin booty over to a home game at the Lifetime Activities Center on the Taylorsville Redwood Campus. I know, I know—it’s hard to put down your iPad, iPhone, iPet and iWhatever, but I’ll help you, I promise.
First, you’ll need to air out that laundry list of lame reasons why you haven’t been to an SLCC game this season. Reason number one—you’re low on funds. I get that, I really do. See, the neat thing about that OneCard in your wallet is that you get free admission to any of our home games just by showing it at the door. That’s right, keep your stinkin’ money you stingy student you.
On to reason number two – as a student at SLCC, you’re simply too busy to get out to a ballgame. Nope, that one’s not going to work either, because no one that I’ve ever met is too busy for a great time. I’m a husband, father, sportswriter, announcer, employee and student. I’m busy. The day that I’m too busy to get away for two or three hours is the day I want off of this ride.
Reason number three – you don’t really care much for sports at our school. Besides, what does a cosmetology or engineering student at a community college want with sports there anyway? I understand and respect that view. I also know that Charles “Snacks” Joseph, who plays center for SLCC men’s basketball, probably won’t be there to cheer you on as you cut someone’s hair. Let’s face it though—shears and smocks are far less exciting than slam dunks and shot blocks.
Here at SLCC, we’re fortunate to have facilities like the Lifetime Activities Center and Bruin Arena to enjoy great sports. Not many two-year schools have the teams or talent that SLCC possesses, not to mention many of the most respected, successful and dedicated coaches in the entire nation. The only thing that is missing from the Bruin sports equation is a rabid, passionate student fan base.
Some schools in the Scenic West Athletic Conference in which the Bruins and Lady Bruins compete are known for their large, energetic and hostile crowds that make playing in their gym intimidating for visitors. I’d like nothing more than to see that happen more frequently here at SLCC, and it’s up to you.
I personally challenge you to step it up, my fellow Bruins. Season’s end is near for both men’s and women’s basketball and there are some vastly important games on the schedule ahead for our teams. Sure, I’m on TV—I’d love to have you watching Julie Morgan, Derek Turley and I on Comcast channel 17 or listening on Radio SLCC, but only if you absolutely can’t make it to the Den. I’d rather be having an extremely hard time hearing my colleagues in my headset and getting a splitting headache because you were all there, cheering your hearts out.
Schedules, statistics, standings, rosters and more are all available at slccbruins.com.