NSU’s Stopher alive with FANdemonium

With every lay-up, field goal or three-pointer the Nicholls State Colonels hit this season, Stopher Gymnasium became more deafening.

On game night, locals put aside their differences to root the Colonels to victory.

For the first time in over a decade, Stopher Gymnasium is howling with excitement for Colonels basketball.

Each game the Colonels won filled more seats at Stopher. When the Colonels hosted Texas-Arlington for their home finale last Wednesday, the fans rewarded the Colonels for their hard work by filling the gym.

The Colonels, in turn, posted an 11-2 home record this season, extending their season into mid-March with their first Southland Conference Tournament berth since 2000.

Unlike other conference tournaments, only the top eight teams in the 11-team conference earn a seed.

The Colonels snagged No. 2 seed this season.

“I don’t think anyone understands just how much of a boost these fans give us,” senior guard Justin Payne said. “They have been just amazing all season long. We love the support and hope a number of them can follow us to the conference tournament.”

Payne is likely to get his wish.

As the Colonels boarded the buses for tournament site Katy, Texas, yesterday with suitcases in hand, a small pep rally was held outside the place they’ve defended all season long.

An entourage of students, faculty, cheerleaders and band members sent the Colonels off to vie for a tournament title and another NCAA tournament berth.

“This feels like a Division 1 atmosphere,” said Dr. Glenn Antizzo, government teacher and Nicholls’ Southland Conference faculty representative. “I don’t think I’ve seen anyone this excited about this team since 1998. It was long overdue, but it is so great to see.”

When the Colonels arrive at the Merrell Center for their game tomorrow at noon against Texas State, a number of the Stopher faithful will be waiting. A bus carrying students and faculty leaves Thibodaux tomorrow morning, bound for Katy.

Johnathan Lynch, culinary arts major from Ruston, is going to be one of the students on the bus.

Lynch has been a regular at Colonel home basketball games this season, painting his face, wearing a red foam Colonel hat and waving his red Nicholls flag – attached to a PVC pole – to get the crowd riled up.

Lynch said he’s not embarrassed to show school spirit, and sees it as a way to make his college experience even that much more enjoyable.

“It’s great to see people excited about this team,” he said. “That’s the way it should be. It’s up to all the fans to reward these guys for their hard work all season long.”

“When a team finds success, support will follow. I could see every game how more and more people would show up. They are finally buying into this team,” he added.

Lynch’s effort hasn’t going unnoticed.

“I look for him during every game,” Antizzo said. “I put the bug in his ear about the bus going to Katy. Even though we didn’t win the conference tournament yet, it feels like we did. It’s just that unbelievable how excited people are about this team.”

Head coach J.P. Piper admitted that since the Colonels have been winning, even he’s surprised at how much support has been pouring out from those not around the Nicholls community.

“I think the neatest part has been people that I wasn’t even aware were keeping up and watching. They send emails, leave phone messages and send text messages. It’s humbling and exciting knowing what we’re doing affects many people. It’s a neat thing.”

The shift couldn’t come soon enough for Piper, who is in his fifth year as Colonels’ basketball coach.

“I told my guys that this has been five years in the making,” he said. “I’m thrilled that the fans have come out and supported the efforts of these young men and I hope they continue to do that for us in Katy. Hopefully, we can bring home a conference championship for them.”

Of the 60 ticket books the Southland Conference requires each school to sell for the conference tournament, Nicholls has successfully sold 37 as of press time.

With the team finishing strong last week, that number is expected to jump to near the limit before tomorrow, but tickets can still be purchased before then.

Both players and fans believe this team has the chance to do something special this week.

“We’re not done yet,” Payne said. “We haven’t reached all of our goals just yet.”

“We’re winning it all this year,” Lynch added. “These guys went to war for us, now we’re ready to return the favor and get them through the war this week. They are taking care of their business, and we are bringing home a conference title.”

Johnathan Lynch, a culinary major at Nicholls State, has been a regular at every home basketball game this season. The Ruston native stands out in the crowd with his painted face, foam Colonel hat and the red Nicholls flag he proudly waves. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER