David Borne | Sports Editor
Jan. 16, 2020
Through the first half of the 2019-20 college basketball slate, Duquesne fans have had plenty to cheer about.
Coach Dan Burt and the women’s team are piecing together yet another strong year and hold an 11-6 record to start the season. While the women’s team has gotten off to a 1-3 start in Atlantic 10 action, their strong showing during their non conference games proved that they can hang with any team out there.
As for the men’s basketball squad, the Dukes are off to their best start since the early 1970’s. Coach Dambrot’s group currently stands at the top of the A-10 leader board with a 5-0 record to kick off conference play.
Both teams have made it very clear that they can make some serious noise this season. Slowly but surely, Duquesne is creeping back into national basketball relevance.
While on-court results are improving dramatically, one thing has remained disappointing: Student attendance at games.
Of course, it’s been a bit more difficult for students to get to games this season than usual. “Home” games were scattered all throughout the Pittsburgh area, with the Dukes taking the floor at PPG Paints Arena, La Roche College and the UPMC Events Center at Robert Morris.
Still, students should make an effort to get out and support both teams.
I know that the average student spends a good amount of time working on coursework and doing other class-related things. Between classes, homework and other working commitments, free time can be a bit limited.
But that doesn’t stop thousands of other students at schools across the country from showing up to basketball games and other sporting events. Despite all of their schoolwork, they somehow manage to find a way to get to the games.
College basketball games are supposed to be an event. They are a way for both students and alumni to rally around their school and have a good time.
A packed college basketball venue with a rowdy student section making a deafening amount of noise creates arguably the best environment in sports. It’s time that the students pitch in and help bring that kind of atmosphere to the Bluff.
The basketball teams are winning. Tickets are free. A good number of games are played at the gorgeous arena that is less than half a mile away from campus. For the games that aren’t across the street, the university even provides transportation to help students get there.
There aren’t many more excuses and reasons for students not to go.
Duquesne students, get to a basketball game. Put the books down for a few hours. Show up to the house party, bar, or wherever else you’re headed on a Saturday night a bit later than you usually would.
Support your classmates, have a good time and help put Duquesne back on the national map.
