University of Virginia Library

Speaking Out

The ACC
Atmosphere

By Ernest Dempsey

IT'S ALWAYS AMUSING to search through envelopes or
albums of old photographs, where "ancient" fashions, hairstyles,
and cars inevitably draw both laughter and astonishing gasps. The
latter occurs in the offices of The Cavalier Daily whenever we dig
into our rather unkempt picture file and see what home
basketball games were like in the old days.

UNIVERSITY HALL was too big then. The seats were more
empty than full and the shorter press table involved a little less
work for Barney Cooke (Virginia's SID). Overall, the atmosphere
was quite drab.

THE SCENE is obviously different this year. Coach Bill
Gibson, once the target of various missiles as well as verbal abuse
now commands a theme song and a standing ovation. University
Hall has been constantly packed and will be for the final two
home contests against Maryland and North Carolina, thus insuring
the basketball program's, financial stability for the first time in
too long a while. The players are now celebrities both in and out
of the University community and enjoy certain privileges at
eateries and movie houses. Even Charlie Smith, the public address
man at U-Hall, is more colorful in his broadcasts.

THE FANS ARE INCREDIBLE. They are louder, more
hostile, and know a great deal more about opposing players and
coaches than in the past. One can be certain that referees and
opposing teams who go about their business on the Cavaliers'
home court are amazed at the less sedate receptions they are
receiving this season. It is, as Coach Gibson says, "an ACC
atmosphere." He loves it. The players are spurred on by it, and
the fans literally go crazy! Why not?

LET'S KEEP OUR ACC ATMOSPHERE WITHIN REASON
though. Booing is rather feeble. The roar which one hears when
the Virginia ballplayers are introduced is not exactly a welcome
to our opponents. Dead silence is a more appropriate reaction to
a visitor. It is good to see that the throwing of coke cups,
popcorn megaphones, pennies, and chickens has subsided
somewhat. It is a hazardous and poor practice.

THE CHEERLEADERS have more responsibilities, and have
lately come under fire for their antics. One must remember that
the game of basketball is fast, high scoring, exciting and thus
demands less organized cheerleading. With the exception of the
new pom-poms and time-out cha-chas, (both are horrible, really)
the cheerleaders have done an adequate job of maintaining
enthusiasm at the proper moments and should be commended for
their attendance at away games. Art should be tasteful as well.
The nurses responsible for some of the signs which appeared in
the N.C. State game should be commended for their support, but
should also realize that their work was very out of place at this
University. Signs such as "Give Em A Fit DeWitt," and "Give
Em Their Fill, Big Bill show a level of sophistication more
appropriate at a contest between two junior high school teams
than a college match.

THE PEP BAND has never been better. We remember the days
when that organization knew only two songs (one of which was
the now-banned "Dixie") and could muster only a dozen
musicians at even the football games. Now Jim Gilmore conducts
several dozen enthusiastic students in a band which for the first
time ever has a brass section able to be heard above the
percussion artists. When coaches of opposing teams call a
time-out to settle the nerves of rattled players the Pep Band is
easily able to lead the University Hall crowd in many minutes of
sustained cheering which surely must intimidate the visiting team.
That type of crowd support must be worth at least five points to
the Cavaliers of which three must be attributed to the Pep Band.

WE HAVE A WINNING TEAM, and it's great to be a part of
spirit surrounding our Cavaliers. However, let's not let our
enthusiasm get raucously out of hand.