Upon further review
Wanted at Montpetit Hall: the Jockey Club
I ARRIVED AT the Ravens’ Nest early on March 6 to find a media spot for that night’s Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East men’s baksetball final. Scores of red- and black-clad fans were already waiting in line to get tickets for the much-anticipated game between the Carleton Ravens and the Ottawa Gee-Gees. As I saw them, I was slightly worried that everyone in attendance would be die-hard Ravens fans and that the Gees’ men’s team would be overwhelmed by boos throughout the match. But soon enough, Gee-Gees fans crept in and by the time the match started they overwhelmed even the Ravens supporters with their passion.
Also coming to watch were athletes from several Ottawa varsity teams, including women’s soccer, women’s rugby, women’s basketball, and men’s football. Even Gee-Gees women’s basketball head coach Andy Sparks made an appearance. Other students from the U of O spilled in as well, most of whom were wearing garnet shirts and shaking noisemakers. There was even a group of girls and one guy who were painted in garnet and grey from head to toe. They brought pots and pans to the game and really livened things up.
As a result, the strong Gee-Gee contingent let their voice be heard early in the game when Ottawa had a lead and then again toward the end when the team was mounting a comeback attempt. At their loudest, the Garnet and Grey faithful were far more impressive than the Ravens supporters. I was thrilled to see such a strong turnout, and the fans’ passion wasn’t lost on the Gee-Gees head coach and players.
“I loved playing in front of them,” said Ottawa second-year guard Warren Ward. “It was a great crowd with great supporters. They’re our sixth man.”
Head coach Dave DeAveiro took notice as well, but he also added a sincere request. While he said the “fans were unbelievable,” he said that “it has to be more than one game.” And there’s the rub—the need for Gee-Gees fans to crash the party more than just once.
“I don’t just want them to show up for the Carleton game,” DeAveiro said. “I need them for all the games that mean something to us.
“This is the first time we saw the Jockey Club this year [excluding Capital Hoops] and that disappoints me,” he added.
DeAveiro said that he hopes the Gee-Gee fans come in out in droves for the team’s March 13 OUA bronze medal game at Montpetit Hall against Lakehead University, a game that will end Ottawa’s season if they lose.
“If we ever need the fans, it’s next week,” said DeAveiro.
“When we go to Lakehead, they sit right behind your bench and they give it to you for 40 minutes, non-stop—non-stop,” the coach emphasized. “They’re in your ear all night. That’s what we need from our fans.”
Indeed, earlier on March 6, the U of O women’s basketball team hosted the OUA championship game at Montpetit Hall—but you wouldn’t know it based on the crowd and atmosphere. Other than one hilarious Gee-Gees fan who yelled and heckled at the Windsor team right before tip-off, the scene was pretty low-key.
Both basketball teams are having their typical great seasons this year, but they need far more support at home games—maybe not Lakehead-level, but something like that. At this point, they’re the only two varsity teams still playing.
But that could change if the men’s team loses to the Thunderwolves on March 13. Fans need to come out and make sure Lakehead knows, loud and clear, that that’s not going to happen.
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