By: Christina Easter
Before and after the snow arrived in Cleveland, fans showed up and cheered Cuyahoga Community College men’s and women’s basketball to winning seasons and accolades in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference. This is the second season that local high school bands led the cheers of students, faculty, staff and community members at home games.
Todd Kitchen, Ed.D and president of Eastern Campus was regularly in the bleachers along with Anthony Franklin, executive director of Athletics, Wellness Recreation and Triceratops volleyball and baseball players.
“I want to give us a real home court advantage,” said Franklin when asked about the presence of the bands and/or DJ at home games.
“I’m a Triceratops fan because our name means everything,” said student Palmer Hampton. “We are a family and we want to win!”
“I’m a Triceratops fan because I love the community here,” said Palmer’s twin sister Pilar Hampton.
“I’m here because it’s very fun being here with the community and cheering them on,” said student Trinity Bell.
Tamarra Jones is a first year student whose major is business management. Jones said she chose Tri-C because the business program is amazing and they welcome everyone. Jones regularly attended games with the Hampton twins and Bell “to reciprocate the energy” women basketball players showed during volleyball season.
During half-time of basketball games, students had the opportunity to participate in events such as the half-court shoot out. Contestants who made the shot won a free Tri-C t-shirt.
Bob Bender, manager of Athletics, Wellness and Community Recreation of the Eastern Campus facilitated the shootouts and said, “I’m a Triceratops fan because I love the way it brings the community together and our students show a lot of passion and support.”
First year student Rydell Wyatt participated in a shootout and “almost” made the shot. After his shot Wyatt said, “it was awesome participating in the half-court shot and he’s a Triceratops fan because Cleveland is my city!”
Although the fans didn’t make many shots from half-court, Tri-C men and women basketball players did. The men finished tied for third place in the OCCAC with a record of 11-5. They went 9-4 at home while averaging 86.4 points, 9.3 three-pointers, and 15.6 assists per game during the season.
Freshman guard John McFadden earned OCCAC First-Team All American honors and sophomore Tyson Garner won second-team honors.
“I’m at the games because there’s nothing more important for our student athletes who came from all over to have a fan base that cheers them on,” said Dr. Kitchen. “We also show them by our presence that we care about what they do on the court. And, I love basketball.”
The Lady Tops went 11-2 at home as they averaged 72.5 points, 12.8 assists, and 41 rebounds per game. Head coach Dion Griffin was named coach of the year while freshman La’Nia Moore won player of the year and playmaker of the year.
Moore was also named OCCAC First-Team All American honors and freshman Syair Young was named to the second team.
There can be no doubt that seeing and hearing cheering fans in the audience for each game made a difference in the players’ performance.
“I’m at the game because there ‘s nothing more important for our student athletes who come from all over to have a fan base that cheers them on and show them by our presence that we care about what they do here on the court,” said Dr. Kitchen.
Fans have plenty more cheering to do as the Triceratops track and field, softball and baseball teams seasons have begun. Visit Tri-C athletics home page for dates, times and locations.
