Traditions and rivalries from the past
Aggie basketball has quite a long list of traditions but we all know the most infamous aspect of Spectrum magic is the student section. Gaining national attention from ESPN and universities throughout the nation, the Spectrum is known for its intense home court atmosphere.
In 2012, when BYU got off their bus the night before the big game, they were greeted by a throng of students ridiculing the Cougars. A banner was unrolled over the top of the entrance with the words, “Welcome to Hell.” The Spectrum has never been more properly labeled than for BYU that night.
How has the Spectrum worked its way up to gain a title so glorious as “Hell” to opposing teams and especially rivals?
History has USU students being among the craziest and most absurd student section dating back to the 80s. The Running Utes came to Logan in the 1987 season, continuing the 100-plus year in-state rivalry. When Danny Conway made the first USU bucket for the game, toilet paper rolls came shooting out of the crowd and covered the court in white streamers, interrupting the game.
This event has gone down in history as legendary. Student involvement in these games might have led the Utes to never want to play in the Spectrum again. Although the Aggie’s record against the U is only 42-52 with home wins just being 27-20, the Utes have not had a win in the Spectrum since 1996.
There is another rivalry lurking, just waiting to be renewed. USU and UNLV go way back to 1983. The Aggies once matched up against the Rebels at least two times a season until the 1996 season due to conference changes. Now the two schools are back together matching up head-to-head.
There is bad blood between USU and UNLV. It was especially apparent in 1990 when the Aggies traveled to Las Vegas and after a tough loss, a brawl ensued between the players. The fight escalated to the point that even USU head coach Kohn Smith was struck by the Rebels’ Moses Scurry.
But, the best was yet to come. When UNLV came to Logan later in the season, the Aggies returned the favor.
Utah State students composed many raucous chants, signs and the infamous prank known as the “water bomb.” Just before the second half began, greenish-blue water exploded from the floor vents under UNLV’s bench and soaked Rebel head coach Jerry Tarkanian.
There is one rivalry that almost doesn’t need to be mentioned because the tension can be felt in the air between these two in-state rivals. The Cougars of BYU have met the Aggies more than 200 times and lead the series with a record of 137-92.
However, since 1955 the Aggies home record against BYU is 30-18, and Utah State has not lost to the Cougars in the Spectrum since 2000.
The pranks and chants between these two schools are ruthless and continue to get more heated as the years go on. A particular chant that has been popular against the Cougars is “Waste of Tithing,” as well as signs making fun of moms being cougars and girls in Logan being more beautiful than those in Provo.
Although USU plays a variety of colleges across the country, and it changes every season, there is always cunning banter produced from the student section in the Spectrum.
In 2007, it was found that New Mexico State’s head coach, Reggie Theus, had some oiled up, half naked photos posted on the Internet. So the HURD instigated a Reggie Theus look-a-like contest, then broke out the chant “Stew is hotter.”
There are many other traditions that have been lost in recent years such as Wild Bill who was nationally recognized for his anti-free-throw antics.
With such a rich history to draw from, it will be up to this year’s student body to maintain the Spectrum’s reputation as Hell.
Twitter: @CrowtherWade