USU break: The HURD prepares to take over Las Vegas
Editor’s note: This article was updated on March 13 to adhere to AP Style guidelines.
Utah State Men’s Basketball finished their regular season on March 8 with an 87-47 win over Air Force, capping off a 25-6 regular season campaign. The college basketball season can be long and taxing for players and coaches alike, but the team has had the unwavering support of one group that’s helped get them through the season.
The Utah State student section, otherwise known as the HURD, has been a vigilant supporter of all Aggie athletics, but games inside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum have an extra boost with them there.
“They mean so much. Earlier today, we were in shootaround, and we went outside to give some of the fans some pizza. They were out there for more than five hours … just kind of shows the passion, the commitment, that they have,” guard Ian Martinez said after his late-game heroics lifted the Aggies over Boise State on Jan. 11. “That’s not everywhere. That’s not in any college. So, I really appreciate that from the HURD and the fans in general because maybe some players don’t know, but you really don’t get that anywhere else.”
Big Blue and the student section sing “The Scotsman” before the game against Boise State on Jan. 11.
After a fruitful regular season, the team traveled to Las Vegas for the 2025 Mountain West Men’s Basketball Championships this weekend. It’s only right their biggest supporter makes the journey alongside them.
With Utah State on spring break, hundreds of USU students are planning to make the trip down to the desert to cheer on their Aggies.
“Our lists currently, right now, have over 500 unique students on them,” said Dallin Wilson, athletics & campus recreation executive director, in an interview with The Utah Statesman. “Hopefully we will have pretty close to that 500 number, which is awesome.”
Each university receives 100 free tickets from the conference, but the number of students looking to travel to the tournament exceeded that number from day one.
Rather than leave students to fend for themselves, Wilson and the HURD Committee took action to fundraise to get additional tickets for students.
“We started a few months ago, where we were reaching out to different donors and sponsors online – people that we knew in person and local businesses to see if they want to help out and send some students down to the tournament,” Wilson said. “Then the efforts have kept going, even until the end of last week, beginning of this week, of finalizing some more funds to help clear off all our wait lists.”
The HURD has received donations from businesses and individuals alike, with a relatively even mix of donors between the two.
In addition to private donations from various sponsors, the HURD has received public support from the athletic department and the team, right up to Utah State head coach Jerrod Calhoun. Calhoun personally donated $1,000 to go toward student tickets at the tournament.
“Everybody gets excited about March, and when March hits, it’s college basketball. In three days after Saturday, we’re in Las Vegas with a bunch of fans who have spent a whole bunch of money, time and energy getting there, and you want to make those fans proud,” Calhoun said in his coaches show on March 6. “These kids have been unbelievable. These are college kids who need a little bit of help, so if anybody has got any money, contact the ticket office, and let’s buy some tickets for these kids.”
Calhoun and the Aggie players have been both vocal and physical supporters of the HURD and its efforts all year, bringing them pizza when they camp out for games and attending their tournament fundraiser at Raising Cane’s earlier this year.
Made sure the country’s greatest student section is well-fed before tonight’s big game! 🍕🐮@usuHURD pic.twitter.com/LlyedczTNi
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) February 1, 2025
“I think it means a lot to the HURD and the HURD committee but also all of the students that the team does appreciate what we do for them. They appreciate that home court advantage, and they know how big of an influence we can have down here in Vegas if we have a few 100 students,” Wilson said. “To see them come out and support and to reach out with lots of kind words and support that way as well, it shows that what we do actually makes a difference.”
In addition to the donation from Calhoun and the 100 tickets from the conference, the HURD has secured funding to purchase an additional 300–350 tickets for each game. With student tickets selling for $30 each, that is approximately $30,000 in total donated student tickets for potentially three games.
Much of the funding is dependent on how many days the Aggies advance, but Wilson is confident every student in attendance on Thursday will get a donated ticket.
The students that make the trip will not be left empty-handed, as the HURD has 300 customized shirts to give away to students at Thursday’s game and potential post-game festivities in the works.
The HURD dons Spectrum Magic shirts to support Utah State against New Mexico on Feb 1. Photo courtesy of the HURD.
No matter the outcome of the tournament, USU students and the HURD are proving their dedication while building upon a tradition that precedes them and hopefully will last long beyond their time as members.
“Students love coming down here. It’s a lot of fun, and we wanted to build on some of the momentum that we’ve had throughout this year and help encourage more students to come down and experience this,” Wilson said. “I believe we’ll have well over double what we’ve ever had before … That’s just really cool to see that support that we’ve seen throughout the whole season transfer down here to Vegas and result in students spending their spring break down here and traveling down to support the team.”
Whether it’s one game or three, the over 500 Aggie students are sure to make their presence felt in the Thomas & Mack Center, even if they are relegated to the upper bowl.
For more information about the Mountain West tournament and Utah State’s first-round matchup, check out this preview from the Statesman.