Rowdy Rams named Student Section of the Year

Beating the fan sections of Gonzaga, Kansas, Pitt, and others, the Rowdy Rams have earned VCU a top nod and a $10,000 scholarship prize.

March 7, 2013; 6:54 AM • by Nathan Cushing

VCU’s student cheering section, the Rowdy Rams, won the second annual Naismith Student Section of the Year award, which celebrates the most passionate college basketball fans. The announcement came last night at the Siegel Center as the Rams played the UR Spiders.

“We have the best students and fans in the country, and we are thrilled to now have national recognition of what we have always known,” said VCU coach Shaka Smart. “Our student section stands by our team and is loud the entire game, giving us an unbelievable home-court advantage.”

At total of 158 schools competed for the award beginning in January. VCU advanced through the first two rounds of public Facebook voting, earning the most votes of any school.

The final eight schools — including Gonzaga, Indiana, Kansas, and Pitt — were evaluated by the Naismith¹ Awards Board of Selectors. Criteria included the student section’s name, attendance, photos, video, write-up from the school, and weighed with scores from public votes.

Catherine Gammon, Senior Vice President of Brand Development for the Collegiate Licensing Company who, along with the Atlanta Tipoff Club, presented the award, commended VCU’s fans.

“We are proud to recognize the VCU Rowdy Rams as the winner of the Naismith Student Section of the Year Award and congratulate them on a tremendous effort to rally their fans to vote in this competition.”

A $10,000 cash prize accompanies the award, which VCU will donate to the University’s general scholarship fund.

— ∮∮∮ —

March 7, 2013 6:54 AM 1