The Bold Saguaro: Trading The Inferno for the Nosebleeds
Echo from the Buttes’s young alumni columnist struggles with growing up—and moving up and out of the student section. Does The Bold Saguaro’s removal from the student section mean Derrick Low is safe from his taunts?
Sitting in the near-silent upper-deck, straining to tell the difference between Taylor Rohde and Johnny Coy and looking down at the youthful, gold-clad reverie below, the distant sight of Herb Sendek’s impeccably bald head was but a mere memory. I felt cold and alone.
Okay, perhaps I exaggerate. My first game as an ASU alumnus wasn’t terrible – Wells Fargo Arena was abuzz, I had a fellow rabid Devil filling my other seat, and ASU earned a “W” – but it just wasn’t the same as the “student section experience” I had grown accustomed to over the past four years.
At the game’s outset, I made sure to stand and make a racket whenever Mississippi Valley State had the ball (I take personal responsibility for the Delta Devils’ 4:40 scoring drought to start the game), but I couldn’t help but notice that my new neighbors weren’t quite as enthusiastic. The lady to my immediate left even went so far as to plug her right ear and make what I can only describe as a “bitter beer face.”
And so, after but one game, the question must be raised: must I age at a rapid rate to fit into my new section?
Should I trade in my gold shirts for a beige sweater, apparently the look of choice up in the nose-bleeds?
Instead of trashing Derrick Low’s hair, as I recall doing with great regularity the past few seasons, should I follow suit and be more concerned about losing mine?
While I’m currently apt to verbally abuse anyone wearing red and blue, should I strive to be more likely to berate anyone who dares bring them an under-heated tomato bisque?
I used to cheer every time Steve Jones got off the bench to grab a cup of water. Am I now obligated to cheer the opportunity to finally sit after the opponents’ first points and at the prospect of catching a free ASU canopy XXXXXL t-shirt?
Again, perhaps I exaggerate. In reality, there are a handful of die-hards in my section; most notably, an elderly couple seated smack-dab in the first row. They wear matching maroon and gold sweaters, implore others to stand at the start of each half and – gasp – cheer after good plays.
I can only hope to be as spirited in my old age. Until then, I guess I’ll just take in the crazy antics of The Inferno (it’s catching on!) from afar and only be that guy – the one that forces both young and old to don the “earmuffs” and draws the wrath of the upper-deck grumps – every once and a while.
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I wish I could tell you it gets better, but I gotta tell ya — it’s a drag not being in the student section anymore. I’m getting to the point where standing for the whole game wouldn’t necessarily be fun anymore, but it’s a matter of “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” I WANT to stand and cheer like crazy, and it’s no fun when the people around you are laid back and bored. To all the current students out there: Enjoy it while it lasts.
I didn’t really get to enjoy the student section after spending the first half of my college career at Mesa CC and the second half working for that State Press (and, ahem, Applebees). But I’ve snuck in a few time ssince and enjoyed it every time. Don’t know how ya’ll keep it up for a 3 p.m. kickoff in September, but the ASU student section rocks.
Not sure about The Inferno name though
Regardless of where you’re sitting at Wells Fargo, be thankful for the team they have this year. I came to ASU in 1998 and other than the Ike-Millage tourney year (after I graduated), last year has been the only basketball worth watching at the arena.
During the time I was in school, Eddie House was great, but the team never beat UofA and just generally sucked. I think as you get older, you appreciate the good teams more — and they will get you on your feet where ever you’re tickets are.
By the way, this is absolutely priceless for Curtis Millage fans…
he’s big in Europe…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScwFXWhDTPI
Correction: ASU beat UA once, 88-72, on Jan. 23, 2002.
http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/012302aaa.html
You have to spend a year calming down like that…it’s student section rehab.
But spend your time up there looking at the other “adult” sections. Find the ones that ARE crazy, and hope they aren’t expensive (in basketball, all I’ve seen is lower level for crazy fans).
It’s much easier in football. The recent grad will find equally insane fans in the South Endzone. But with basketball, our crowd is still evolving.
[...] And, of course, the 15th-ranked men’s team returns to Wells Fargo Arena after a narrow escape against San Diego State to host Pepperdine on Sunday. Will you be in The Inferno or in the nosebleeds? (We know where The Bold Saguaro will be.) [...]
ak47: We also beat the rats in 1994 — also the last time before 2007 that we had swept the season series. I was in the student section for that one and got to rush the court.
[...] And, of course, the 15th-ranked men’s team returns to Wells Fargo Arena after a narrow escape against San Diego State to host Pepperdine on Sunday. Will you be in The Inferno or in the nosebleeds? (We know where The Bold Saguaro will be.) [...]