By DYLAN WHITELY, Student Reporter
Northwestern’s volleyball and basketball teams played a few games this semester with fans in attendance, and student athletes said they were excited to have fans in the stands.
Effective Feb. 1, fans were allowed to attend indoor sporting events because of the Great American Conference’s council of presidents’ unanimous agreement on the issue.
While the university’s basketball teams’ seasons are over, players on the university’s indoor teams told the News their opinion on fans attending games.
Abby Davis, a sophomore on Northwestern’s volleyball team, said having fans in attendance makes a difference for the team.
“It feels really awesome to have people actually cheering,” Davis said. “It’s not just quiet in the gym other than the yelling while we’re playing. So, it’s really nice.”
She said that having fans can be nerve-racking because she wants to perform well for them.
“I’d say in big games it makes me kind of nervous to have people there because I want to play really well for them,” Davis said. “But, like, if my parents come, I’m not super nervous because they’ve watched me play since I was like 12.”
Davis said that there is a noticeable difference between fans being there, and them watching on a live stream.
“In person, you really get to feel that support that they’re there and cheering for you,” Davis said. “Whereas on a live stream, you don’t really know that they’re there.”
Kaylee Jo Neeley, a freshman on Northwestern’s women’s basketball team, said fans make a positive impact on the game.
“It’s a reminder of how basketball games should feel,” Neeley said. “When they cheer it picks up the energy in the game, like after you make a shot. It also helps you not take it for granted. Having the fans back has helped a lot with not only how I play, but how the team plays together and how much fun it is with the fans there.”
Neeley said playing collegiate basketball is a great opportunity.
“You’re playing for your community and for the college,” Neeley said. “It’s nice having fans there supporting you and knowing that’s why you’re trying to win, to represent your community. So, them being there has a big impact on the game.
“I definitely noticed the difference about having fans. I get nervous before games anyway. But with fans there it makes me more excited to play, like that’s the atmosphere you want to be playing in”
Neeley said that fans inside Percefull Fieldhouse change the mindset of the players on the court.
“I think it’s better having fans in-person,” Neeley said. “The atmosphere in the gym completely changes whenever there are fans there to support you. You’re there to make those people proud and your community proud. So, I think that it definitely helps boost your energy to play the game.”
Connor Norman, a redshirt freshman on Northwestern’s men’s basketball team, said that the fans bring the energy to the games.
“It feels a lot better,” Norman said. “There’s more energy. Without fans the gym is kind of dead, it almost feels like a scrimmage.”
Norman said that he has a mix of anxiety and excitement when fans are attending the games.
“Whenever you do something good obviously it helps motivate you,” Norman said. “But at the same time, in big moments, having fans can be a little scary because you want to perform well for them. … It’s still nice knowing that they’re watching on the livestream, but whenever you can see their reaction is great. And I’m sure it’s more fun for them to actually watch in person.”
