NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. -- Free throws don't come free at Lawler Arena.
A pair of inflatable tube men, like the ones you see whistling in the wind outside of a car dealership, are proof. Two new faces in the crowd, one in yellow and one in blue, bringing an unmatched energy and comic relief to a crowd full of students and Warrior supporters.
They aren't the only new additions, though.
It's a product of a revamped game day atmosphere which followed the hiring of Merrimack College athletic director
Joe Foley, who took over at the helm of the program in May. Both the men's and women's basketball teams now call Lawler Arena their home gym. And after a late-night changeover, the men's and women's hockey teams can call it their home rink the next day.
It's created an uptick in excitement and attendance, highlighted by a sold-out crowd for the men's basketball game on Friday night.
"The student body and fans at Merrimack College have really turned Lawler Arena into a true home-court advantage for our teams," Foley said. "I'm thrilled with how we've been able to enhance the game day atmosphere, and in turn, support our student-athletes to help them perform at their best."
What has gone into the upgraded game day environment? It's an extensive list.
The production now utilizes a new-and-improved light system and video board, which showcases a plethora of in-game clips as well as videos showcasing the personality of Merrimack's student-athletes.
New initiatives have been created to drive student attendance, some of which include an "Augies on the Go," where students can purchase alcoholic beverages for little to no cost. There's also been an uptick in concessions, including 'Dolla Dogs nights where hot dogs are sold for – you guessed it -- $1. Giveaways have resulted in the student who screams the loudest walking out the door with a 40-inch television or Xbox – yes, those are real. And what student doesn't love free merchandise? T-shirt giveaways have become the norm. On Valentines Day, a pink t-shirt that read "I love MC Basketball" was given to those in attendance in honor of #Play4Kay, a fundraising initiative for cancers affecting women.
Then there's the community outreach, which has included inviting groups of young athletes from North Andover and other surrounding towns, to women's basketball games and other sporting events.
On game days at Merrimack, the entertainment isn't limited to game action, either.
Those who have attended Merrimack basketball games in recent weeks have seen halftime shows including Red Panda, a well-known acrobat who catches and balances bowls on her head while riding an eight-foot unicycle. The Air Elite Dunkers, who, like Red Panda, have taken their act to professional sports venues all over the country, were the halftime performance when the Merrimack men's basketball team hosted Marist last week.
The Warriors have another highly-anticipated show on the docket when the Warrior men's basketball team hosts Siena at Lawler Arena on Friday night. Christian & Scooby, who burst onto the national scene some 10 years ago during their run to the finals in "America's Got Talent," will perform in front of the sold-out crowd.
Seeing the development firsthand has been fun for
Alina Porzio, Merrimack's Assistant Athletic Director for Game Atmosphere and Spirit. Porzio graduated from Merrimack before she started working for the athletic department.
"The game day atmosphere certainly has evolved pretty quickly," Porzio said. "There has been a huge shift in student attendance as well as the energy in the arena. Students are really excited to see how well the teams are performing, and they are excited to be part of what is happening."
There's been a lot to cheer for at Lawler Arena, too.
The Merrimack men's basketball team currently sits atop the MAAC standings and is inching closer to the regular-season conference title. The men's hockey team earned a win over nationally-ranked Boston College last week and are looking like one of the hottest teams in college hockey. Meanwhile, the women's basketball team is playing its best basketball of the season with the conference tournament nearing and the women's hockey team beat nationally-ranked UConn and Holy Cross within the last four weeks.
There's plenty more to cheer for at Merrimack going forward, too.
Just ask the inflatable tube men.
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