As the 2009-10 men’s basketball season commenced, Demon Deacon fans bore witness to a novel addition to the Lawrence Joel Coliseum – a standing student section for Screamin’ Demon members recently coined “The Pews.” According to Geoff Lassiter, assistant athletic director for marketing, development of the new student section began a year and a half ago, when the city council passed a decision to replace the former retractable seating of row L and below with a standing section for students. As one of the largest tenants to use the Joel Coliseum, the university played a large role in the decision making process, with student interests represented by the executive board of the Screamin’ Demons.

“We (the athletic department) met with architects to see what would best suit the needs of Wake Forest basketball,” Lassiter said. “We had our Screamin’ Demon board get involved in the process to decide what changes would create the best student environment at the games. Most ACC schools have a new standing room only section really close to the court. With the leadership of the Screamin’ Demon board and the help of the architects, the new section came to be.”

The standing section, which was financed predominantly by taxpayers but also with a contribution from the athletic department, can hold approximately 325 students, and entry to the section is organized on a first come, first serve basis. The first 325 Screamin’ Demon members to enter the Joel Coliseum prior to a basketball game will be given a special wristband allowing them entry into the standing section.

The Pews places students eight to 15 feet closer to the court, and according to Lassiter, fans’ proximity to the court advances the Deacons’ home court advantage.

“The fans are closer to the court and the most important thing in the Joel Coliseum is to have a home court advantage created with as many students as possible close to the court. The new section allows students to not only get closer, but to also make the court itself much louder with their cheers.”

Sophomore Screamin’ Demons executive board member Holly Fuller also cited the advantages of the new student section.

“The benefits are that the students are closer to the court and therefore can have a greater impact on the basketball games,” Fuller said. “Our new setup allows students to be more of a distraction when the opposing team is shooting free throws.  In addition, it is definitely more intimidating for the opposing team to have over 300 students standing right behind the basket yelling and chanting for Wake’s team.

“I think the new section has changed the atmosphere of the Joel. The students are now closer together, so it is easier to organize chants and cheers.  Additionally, Screamin’ Demons has decided to give away one prize per game for a lucky fan who stands in the student section for the entire game. At the Oral Roberts game, we gave away a signed football by Coach Grobe and two passes to be on the field during the pregame show at the FSU game. Future prizes might include signed jerseys, tickets to away games or tickets to the ACC tournament.”

In conjunction with the opening of the new student section, the Screamin’ Demons held a contest designed to name the section. The winner, sophomore William Lee, received a free Sceamin’ Demons pass in addition to the prestige of designating the new section “The Pews.”

While the Screamin’ Demons organization continues to work with sports marketing to improve aspects of the newly instated Pews, Fuller expressed a belief that the standing section will impact the Deacons’ success further in the season.

“I think this section will definitely improve our chances of winning when we move into ACC play and will make the Joel a tough court to play on this year.”