Women's team shoots to pack McCann
Phil Terrigno
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: News
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It is this outstanding reaction and buzz that the Marist College Athletics Department, coupled with students in Dr. Keith Strudler's Sports Public Relations class, hope to replicate once more on Friday, Feb. 5, when the Red Foxes host the Iona Gaels in the third annual Pack the House night, an NCAA initiative to increase attendance at women's basketball games.
"The Oklahoma game this year was definitely one of the most exciting games we've had," senior Guard/Forward Lynzee Johnson said. "The atmosphere was loud and so fun to play in. Hopefully, Friday night we can create that [again]."
Aside from the large crowd of 2,828 that witnessed a near upset of the visiting Sooners earlier this season, the Marist women's basketball team has garnered a reputation of attracting huge crowds to the James J. McCann Center for its home games.
After becoming the only team in the nation to sell out their Pack the House event for two consecutive seasons, the Red Foxes are looking to bolster their reputation of having a large and dedicated fan base by selling out their Pack the House game for the third season in a row.
"It really is special, what we've been able to do here with the community's support," Associate AD Travis Tellitocci said. "It's a testament to what coach [Brian] Giorgis has done, and what the players have done over the past four or five years."
Pack the House, which is being sponsored by the NCAA for the third consecutive year, is a national effort in which athletic conferences and institutions compete for attendance at a selected women's basketball game.
One winner from each of the 31 NCAA Division 1 conferences will be selected, and the NCAA awards prizes and donates money to the nonprofit organization of each winning institution's choice.
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