The game is on the line. Seconds tick by as the Cardinals are down a touchdown with little time left. We've been in this situation before. Who do you turn to? The student section. For years, the student section has been the 12th man for our football team.
"The excitement they bring is crucial," said Chris Taylor, director of gameday experience and electronic media. "If we don't have the electricity, it effects the entire game."
Ball State Stadium was completed in 1967 for a capacity crowd of 17,000. Since then, renovations have been made so the stadium capacity is at 18,500 people. But when it really counts, it comes down to one section - that is, the students. During the 1990's, Ball State University went 8-2 at Homecoming games. During the last five years, they've gone 3-2.
"I think it exhibits a lot of excitement and energy," sophomore Kellie Johnson said.
During the Ball State vs. Bowling Green game, the Cardinals took the lead in the waning minutes, who went berserk? The students went berserk. Watching security in yellow shirts get engulfed by masses of screaming fans is a sight not soon forgotten.
"The student section against Bowling Green was unbelievable," Taylor said. "It was appreciated, and we hope that can continue."
With four home games this season, Cardinal fans have a chance to show their colors and support a winning team, even if it is one game. With the crowd behind them, the Cards are stacked.
"It's a special and magical time," said Taylor, speaking of his own experiences as a student involved in the athletic department when he was younger.
Though impressive, the student section could stand to be bigger.
"We hope we can create and have a student section as good as basketball had in 'The Nest' last year," Taylor said. "We want them to be there and be involved."
Taylor said that the athletic department hopes to use "The Nest" as a model for how the football student section could be improved.
Mark Di Fabio has a similar take. Di Fabio works at the Muncie Star Press and is a member of the Cardinal Varsity Club (CVC). Di Fabio graduated from Ball State in 1979 and said, "The student section is stronger now, but weaker than it should be."
He went on to talk about home field advantage and how there is something warm about playing in front of the home crowd. It might be just as big or rowdy, but if behind the Cardinals, its like shifting into overdrive.
"Without a doubt, playing where you are most comfortable is a huge advantage. You feed off the crowd," Di Fabio said.
When he was in school, the greek organizations played a bigger part.
"I'd like to see the fraternities and sororities be more well represented," Di Fabio said. "Maybe send their rush classes. The student section in general should also start a spirit award."
Di Fabio went on to say that former coach Bill Lynch would go door to door inviting the greeks organizations out to the game.
Sophomore Ryan McCready says he misses last year when the crowd could heckle the opponents. He also talked about how he liked the atmosphere, noise and hanging out with his friends and other students.
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