After attending the Cyclone Classic Tournament, I have decided that Hilton Magic no longer exists. Sitting in its place is Hilton Monotony.

Instead of standing and shouting, the students sit while talking on cell phones or complaining about the band.

Students: Why can you stand for three hours at a football game, but not for two at a basketball game? We have seven sections at court level, and when a courageous few try to stand they are pressured into sitting by the apathetic spectators around them.

If you aren’t going to stand and yell, go to the balcony and let those who care have the good seats.

Pep band haters: Devote your energy to heckling the other team instead of your fellow students. Since band members have to censor themselves, their cheers will be corny. If you don’t like it, heckle the opposing team in a more politically incorrect manner. The opponents won’t like it, and if you are loud enough you won’t be able to hear the pep band.

Pep band: Kudos on being the only fans to stand for the entire game and for providing musical entertainment. However, can we get some variety in chants or variety in the use of chants? Tradition is good, but creativity is better. You broke the mold two years ago with the “airball on SportsCenter” chant and it was genuinely funny. A few unique taunts will get more results than a million untied shoes. Until the student section stands and makes some noise, Hilton Magic will remain AWOL and players and fans alike will be deprived of one of the greatest basketball environments in the nation.

Try what I’ve suggested and perhaps we’ll all get to experience Hilton Magic at its best.

Travis Sullivan

Senior

Management Information Systems

Finance