'Superfans' try to start Alico Arena tradition
Thomas Heiss
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Sports
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"We were on our long boards one day and found a construction hat," Montgomery said. "We decided to start designing it and thought it was a great idea to wear them at the games. We wanted to make a scene, let people know we're the dirty birds."
Gordon, a sophomore sociology major from Jupiter, has loved the idea of starting a rally point in the fan section and it came together with the help of Montgomery, a junior management major from Ellicott City, Md.
"I grew up going to UF basketball games and saw the intensity student's brought to home games," Gordon recalls. "We wanted to try to bring the big game mentality to FGCU basketball games."
A few weeks later and after some close men's home games in Alico Arena, fans are starting to catch on to what two Eagle fans are starting.
"We've been to about three games with the hard hats. People recognize us and give us some laughs and cheers, and I've noticed in the last couple games people have been cheering a lot more with us," Gordon said.
After meeting with Alicia Ramsdell, a key member in the athletic marketing department, an interesting proposition was offered to Gordon and Montgomery that has the potential of starting a tradition at Alico Arena events.
"I told them if you can grow and get 20 plus people to get to do what you're doing we will block off a section for you," Ramsdell said. "They can be our Cameron Crazies."
It is an easily obtainable goal and one that Montgomery and Gordon feel could change the atmosphere for all home games
"We're trying to get more people and trying to fill it and get the students on their feet," Montgomery said. "I want a big school, big game atmosphere and see the kids get out there and get excited when different teams come to town."
Much like Fireman Ed, who is responsible for orchestrating the "J-E-T-S, Jets!, Jets!, Jets!" chant during New York Jet home games, Ramsdell feels like these two guys have stepped up and are ready to lead the crowds in Alico Arena.
"If you get enough people to do it, it is going to be a real fun time out there," Ramsdell said.
Gordon and Montgomery have already been spotted by ESPN360.com during the men's basketball home game against North Florida in early January.
"Some of our friends back home saw the game and said we looked like we were having a lot more fun at the games then we were before," Gordon said.
So when the Eagles host ETSU on Thursday and Campbell on Saturday, join superfans Gordon and Montgomery with their custom-painted hard hats in the students section to distract the Atlantic Sun rivals in this critical stretch of conference play.
Both the men and women will be playing back-to-back, so come out in full force, ready to go.
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