Spartan Squad :: Traditions

Want to show off your pride at ANY athletic event you attend? Then sign up now and join the squad.

S p a r t a n Basketball

Basketball is the second most attended sport at San Jose State University. Both the Men's and Women's teams each provide for exciting action in the 5,000 seat Event Center. The Men's program has produced a sleuth of professional European and ABA players as well as two very notable NBA players: Ricky Berry-who was drafted in the first round and played with the Sacramento Kings and Olivier St. Jean-who later changed his name to Tariq Abdul-Wahad and was also drafted in the first round. Wahad has spent time with several teams, the most recent of which being the Dallas Mavericks. A recent Spartan-turned-pro was former SJSU women's basketball player Lamisha Augustine, who was drafted by the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs.

Like football, Spartan Squad members know how important it is to get to the Event Center early and start rallying behind their team before tip-off. In our inaugural season, the squad could be seen as early as one half hour to 45 minutes before tip-off securing front row seats in our student section. Also like football (and every other sport for that matter) Spartan Squad members accept the all important role of getting inside the other teams head as much as possible.

That being said, it is VERY important to do your homework on the other team's players before they come to play in our house. Anything from nicknames that they wish would be forgotten (kept clean of course) to police reports, comments made in local papers, etc. These are all tools that serve as excellent devices for distraction, annoyance and irritation to the opposing team’s bench. When used in conjunction with loud noise, jumping up and down and floor stomping-Spartan Squad members really can make a difference in favor of the home team...uhhhh DUH! That's the point!!

Finally, the THREE best games to go to is when we play U.O.P., Santa Clara and Fresno State. These teams, of course, being our rivals mean there is BIG HYPE going into the game. You have to get their at least 45 minutes ahead just to get a good seat and be ready to be LOUD.

GO SPARTANS!!!