THE COLLEGES / THERESA MUNOZ : CSUN Draws Small, Timid Crowds

For the most part, cheers at Cal State Northridge basketball games are as restrained as those at a golf tournament. A slam dunk gets a rise out of the spectators but little else does.

When the Matador band is not playing, there is usually silence.

And the crowds are as sparse as they are timid: The Matadors rarely draw more than 1,000 and this season are averaging 667.

Like the basketball team itself, which is suffering growing pains since moving to Division I last season, there is no tradition at Northridge games that can make life difficult for the opposition.

Many of the typical home-court basketball taunts are missing. When opposing teams shoot free throws, there is no chanting or waving. Northridge fans have yet to adopt a “hotdog” from the visiting squad and chant his “nickname” every time he touches the ball.

The familiar finger-pointing and chants of “you, you, you” are also absent when the visiting “bully” is charged with a foul.

Similarly, on key possessions when Northridge needs to make a defensive stop, there is no thundering roar to rattle the visitors and inspire Matador players.

Public-address announcer Sam Lagana tries to evoke a response with announcements such as: “The crowd comes to its feet in support of the Matadors.”

Lagana’s technique has had some success in football--fans are learning to stand for the kickoff at the start of each half--but Northridge basketball fans usually limit their standing to the national anthem.

“They need to watch TV and learn how to act, I guess, because they have no tradition to look to,” Northridge point guard Andre Chevalier said.

The closest thing to a tradition is a rabid group of fans called the Matamaniacs, members of the Northridge men’s volleyball team who dress in zany outfits, don face paint and make a grand entrance into Matador Gymnasium several minutes after the games begin.

“They keep the crowd laughing, if not cheering,” Chevalier said. “It’s a big lift to be playing and hear them coming in and people cheering. It really helps us.”

Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy is grateful for the Matamaniacs and their antics.

“The guys on the volleyball team have done an awful lot to help us and to get the crowd excited,” Cassidy said. “I don’t hear the crowd because my head’s in (the game), but I know a large crowd has a tremendous effect on the players and I know the volleyball kids really stoke our kids up.”

Under the leadership of All-American volleyball player Coley Kyman, the Matamaniacs are trying to teach the crowd to be hostile toward visitors and more enthusiastic toward the home team.

Kyman issued a challenge to the community for tonight’s game at 7 against Southern Utah (10-4) at Matador Gymnasium.

“This is the first game on (tape-delay) TV so we want to show crowd support in the stands,” Kyman said. “And not just people coming to the game but people clapping.

“We’re not the No. 1 team in the country, but we’re a college basketball team and we’re going all out and the crowd is not responding. I’m telling you, (crowd response) helps the players out and it makes it tougher on visiting teams.”

Northridge (4-12) drew a season-high 1,025 on Tuesday night for its 81-77 upset of Montana State, but Kyman wants more. His goal tonight is to break the single-game attendance record of 1,274 set last season.

Attendance at basketball home games increased last season, Northridge’s first in the Division I ranks, from an average of 353 to 721. This season the average has dipped about 7%.

“The December games have never been good for the students,” Northridge Athletic Director Bob Hiegert said. “Two problems that hit every kid on this campus is Christmas jobs and final exams. Traditionally, we have done better in January and February. What is pleasing is that there is more community support. And the students will come back to games when they are back in school.”

The second semester at Northridge begins Jan. 27. Four of six home games have been played during the 6 1/2-week break. The other two were played during Thanksgiving weekend and finals week.

Even the 2,000 students who live on campus (up from 1,000 last school year), are required to move out of the dormitories for the break.

As an independent, Northridge has difficulty scheduling teams that will play at Matador Gymnasium, so the school cannot afford to be picky about the dates.

There were similar scheduling woes last season, although on two occasions crowds exceeded 1,000.

COUNTING THE HOUSE

Season NCAA Avg. Largest Division Crowd Crowd ‘89-90 Division II 353 589 ‘90-91 Division I 721 1,274 ‘91-92* Division I 667 1,025

*Five home games remaining