On Feb. 19, the Macalester Gymnasium was filled with 700 boisterous fans-100 more than the gym’s official capacity-as the men’s basketball team came back from 17 points down to defeat St. John’s and win their first ever MIAC playoff game. Two days later, hundreds of Macalester students, many of whom came over by buses provided by MCSG, turned St. Thomas’ Schoenecker Arena into a sea of blue and orange.

Forward Ben Van Thorre ’04 said that Macalester has “the best fans and the best gym in the MIAC,” and few coaches and players in the conference would disagree with that statement. This would seem to counter the stereotype that Macalester students are apathetic when it comes to sports.

Since the men’s basketball team moved from the Fieldhouse to the older and smaller gymnasium in 1998, the crowds have gotten louder and the team has become stronger. Support for the team has grown so much that there are no empty spaces on the bleachers when a rival team comes to compete against Macalester. Other schools in the MIAC might have larger enrollments and athletic facilities, but Macalester has passionate fans and an intimidating gym.

Fans love to see winning teams. Macalester’s fans are no different. The soccer teams have enjoyed great success under Head Coach John Leaney, and a Friday night crowd at Macalester Stadium is one of the best college soccer atmospheres in the nation in all divisions.

This year’s men’s basketball team deserved all of the fan support it received. Years of mediocrity gave way to a rebuilding movement and the team is now reaping the fruits. The Scots were the only Division III team to defeat a Division I opponent this season-Yale on Jan. 29-and they challenged the conference’s top teams en route to their first ever MIAC playoff appearance.

Some large Division I colleges might be famous for their successful sports teams and passionate fans, but there is something special about supporting Division III sports that the likes of Duke’s “Cameron Crazies” do not get to enjoy.

When Macalester students celebrated the accomplishments of the men’s basketball team in unprecedented numbers this season, they shared in the success of their peers, their classmates and most importantly, their friends. At Macalester, we can enjoy watching sports being played at the collegiate level while being able to connect with our student-athletes on a personal level instead of watching Sports Center highlights on ESPN.

The atmosphere was tense last semester when President McPherson threatened to sack the football team. But the success of the basketball team and the atmosphere at its games have picked up the school’s spirit. Not only do Macalester students have another winner to cheer for, but the men’s basketball team has shown the college that it is possible to take a struggling program and turn it into a success.

Macalester is famous for its academic reputation but its athletic teams have not had the same success. The men’s basketball team is no exception to the rule, having only won two conference championships in 80 years.

We should be proud of our diverse student body and we should celebrate each other’s talents, including those of our student athletes. Our student athletes love to play at home in front of a supportive crowd of their peers, their classmates and their friends. Every student who attends a Macalester sporting event makes the game more fun, more exciting, and that much more important to the athletes who wear our orange and blue. We should show support for all of our athletic teams, not just the ones that are the most successful.

Ned Brown ’03 expressed his hope in a letter to the editor on Nov. 16 that “soccer playoffs will no longer be the only 120 minutes a year that Macalester is united.” There is no better way to bring our unique community together than the chance to celebrate together.