It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Big Blue better be practicing his repelling and crowd surfing, because it’s that time of year again. The most wonderful time of the year, to be precise. No, there isn’t some sort of “Nightmare Before Christmas” mix-up, it’s the start of another Aggie basketball season. And just in time too.

After months of waiting after a heart-breaking loss to New Mexico State in the Western Athletic Conference championship game and an early exit from the National Invitation Tournament, the Aggies are back for another season of high-powered basketball.

This year has its unique challenges, returning only four players from last year’s team and featuring eight newcomers. But don’t think the new faces equal inexperience. These players are all top recruits with potential to make USU every bit the powerhouse it has been in previous years.

But more than anything, the return of Aggie basketball means a chance for USU students to pack the Spectrum. With this return to the semi-sacred shrine to USU’s crowning sport, there are certain rules of etiquette that need to be followed by students.

First off, arrive early to the basketball game. This isn’t come to class early – five minutes late – this is really early, at least a half hour early. This allows you to be in a good seat when the game starts and to be fully ready to cheer for your Aggies.

Secondly, when you are in the student section, you are only permitted to sit if you are injured or during a timeout. The rest of the time, it is proper etiquette to stand. While this may seem extreme, it’s nothing compared to the fans at Duke, where they never stop standing and moving during the game. If you decide to break this rule – shame on you – you forfeit your right to tell the students around you to sit down.

Next, when you come to the basketball game, come to be at the basketball game, not to do homework or chat on the cell phone to your romantic interest the whole time. The team is on the court playing their hearts out for your entertainment. They at least deserve your attention, not to mention the cheers.

Finally, don’t be complete jerks to the visiting teams. While it’s part of the game to have a little bit of fun with the other team through cheers and a bit of heckling, it is not appropriate to be excessively vulgar or threaten the other team. Let’s not turn into the southern Aggie fans in our conference, who are well known for their crude behavior.

Oh, and don’t forget to have fun. Go Aggies.