Go COUGARS – Basketball at CofC!

basketball gameSport is a big thing in the life of a college student in the US. That´s at least the impression you get from movies and series. But what is it really like to be part of a college community and how do they practice their pride in terms of sport? Let´s say it is a little bit as you would expect it. There is a lot of people going to the games, but it is not only students.

First time I entered the TD Arena I was really excited to see my first College Basketball game. You come up, get free entry with your student ID and enjoy the game with your friends and fellow students. Take a seat in the students section and let the show begin. It is not only about the sport or the game why people are there, it´s also a social aspect. Before the game you have the players warming up, cheerleaders getting the crowd´s attention, an announcer and of course a DJ. This all will bring you into the mood to cheer for the team and enjoying your time. Shortly before the Tip-off everyone gets up to listen to “The Star-Spangled Banner” every time performed by someone else, e.g. Kids choir, Solo Singer or instrumental, which somehow shows the American pride. Everyone turns towards the US Flag and holds their hand to their hearts, which is quite inspiring – and then the game starts. To show the support for the team the audience stands up form tip off until the first points are scored for the Cougars and then keeps cheering and commenting on the game, just as in every other sport as well. The game is twice 20 Minutes and the rules are a bit different to the NBA but still fun to watch. The timeouts are filled with contests to win prices, catch free T-Shirts, dance performances by the Cougaretts (Dance group) as well as the CofC cheerleaders, just as you know it from movies and music played by the Cougar band. Furthermore they are used to announce other sport teams or students associations’ achievements as well as special occasions or anniversaries. There is always something going on even if the players are not on the court. Not only the timeouts but also the 15 minute half time break is used for all these activities and this makes it a real American College and a special CofC experience, even for non-sport fans. The cheerleaders get the crowd to cheer for the team and in the second half they give out cardboard cutouts (baby face, Marilyn Monroe, grave stone, etc.) to distract the rival while trying to score a free throw. Most of the time pretty effective. The cheering, screaming, music, etc. goes on until the game is finished and most of the time even won by the Cougars. But no matter how the game is ended at the end the team gets together with coaches, cheerleaders, and players to sing the anthem of the College of Charleston performed by the band. Which rounds up the whole experience of a college sports event and the pride everyone shows by wearing college clothes and cheering for the team.

 

Carolin Winkler, Business exchange student from Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy

Carolin & CofC Cheerleader

Spring 2016 exchange students at a basketball game student section pre-game

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