Non-revs try to drum up support

Duke students came out in full force last Friday to support the men's soccer team in its 1-0 win over North Carolina on senior night.

But the packed and boisterous crowd was an atypical show of support for one of Duke's many non-revenue sports-which include all teams except men's and women's basketball and football.

"[The crowd] was huge," senior midfielder Chris Loftus said. "I wish we could get this every night. Obviously we can't because it's a UNC game. It's great to have people enthused in the game and enjoying themselves."

Although a season-high 6,549 fans attended the men's UNC game, the women's soccer team drew only 575 fans to its pivotal ACC matchup against Clemson the night before.

For men's and women's soccer and volleyball games, the average attendance at home is less for each team than the average crowds it has seen on the road this season.

Although the lesser crowds could be attributed to a smaller undergraduate population at Duke compared to some of its opponents, the Department of Athletics' sports promotions division, student organizations and players are still searching for ways to increase non-revenue attendance for its many top-25 programs.

"We obviously want to get the best atmosphere at games," said Bart Smith, the athletic department's Director of Promotions. "We want to get our student body behind it as much as possible and to get various community groups as well."

Student groups reach out

"I just don't feel like [Duke fans] have as much solidarity at games," said North Carolina junior Kellan White, student chairman of The Fever. "If everyone wore the same shirt and stood together, then it would definitely help."

Although The Inferno is searching for new ways to increase support for all sporting events, it does not want to place too many restrictions on members because it is afraid that further limitations could discourage students from coming to games and joining The Inferno, Smith said.

The Fever also benefits from offering highly-valued tickets to men's basketball games. The Inferno rewards its members with Duke gear, but it does not have the advantage of offering basketball tickets because students so heavily support the current system of standing in lines and tenting, Smith said.

Other student organizations have also begun initiatives to bring fans out to non-revenue games. After starting a program last year in which different sororities attended various women's basketball games, the Panhellenic Association extended its program this fall to field hockey, women's soccer and volleyball matches.

At the end of the season, the Panhellenic Cup will be awarded to the sorority that has the best cumulative showing at designated games. Panhel Cup events have already occurred for field hockey and soccer, and the volleyball game is upcoming against N.C. State Nov. 1.

"It was good to have the sisters out there cheering for the [field hockey players]," said Kate Guthrie, Director of Public Relations for the Panhellenic Association. "It was great to introduce them to a sport that they probably would not have seen otherwise."

Schedule conflicts decrease attendance

Although programs like The Inferno and Panhel Cup have given students more incentives to come out to games, some are still reluctant to show up because of the timing of the games. Many of the women's soccer matches this year have occurred midweek and Sunday afternoons-times when many Duke students are studying or participating in other activities.

"For many years, we were playing on Friday and Saturday nights before the ACC expanded," women's soccer head coach Robbie Church said. "After we expanded, we voted to play more games on Wednesday and Thursday nights and have seen sparser crowds on these nights. What we've been talking about is how we miss Friday and Saturday nights."

Last spring, the women's lacrosse team also played many of its matches during the week or during the early afternoon on weekends. The game times made it tough for many students to attend because of other commitments, said Katie Chrest, former women's lacrosse player and now an intern with sports promotions.

The volleyball team, on the other hand, has played many of its matches Friday and Saturday nights. It drew 871 fans in the Blue Devils' most recent Friday match against Boston College Oct. 13.

"We've done very well with our attendance," volleyball head coach Jolene Nagel said. "The team thrives on loud, crazy situations. They lift their level of play, which is great. It certainly encourages them and motivates them at Cameron [Indoor Stadium], and I don't think people realize how much the athletes appreciate it."

And Duke's athletes certainly do not take their fans' appreciation for granted. After their victory over the Tar Heels last Friday, the men's soccer players turned toward the home stands and thanked the fans for showing up to the game.

"It's traditional in soccer that the home team will go in front of their bench and clap for the crowd," men's soccer head coach John Rennie said. "That's something we try to do every game."

Similarly, last Sunday afternoon after defeating then-No. 5 Florida State, the women's soccer players thanked the crowd for supporting them in such an important win on senior day. The fans returned the gesture by duly yelling, "Let's Go Blue Devils! Thank you seniors!"