New incentives and awards available for attending basketball games

The WSU Athletic Department will have giveaways and incentives for students to cheer on the WSU men’s basketball team this season.

The 1983 Division II national championship team will be honored on Jan. 5 for “Throwback Night” when the Raiders take on Wisconsin-Milwaukee. WSU will be wearing custom jerseys identical to the 1983 jerseys—with the exception of the short shorts—and students will be encouraged to dress up in 1980’s attire.

Other promotions throughout the year include a blackout night on Jan. 26 when WSU takes on Illinois-Chicago. The first 5,000 fans in the Nutter Center will receive a black “Raider Up” t-shirt. Students can also enter a drawing to win a black Raiders jersey.

WSU is also utilizing the new video board to get students involved during games. Students can take a picture of themselves or others at the game and send the picture to a specific email.

Also, the long lines to check in at a basketball game to earn student reward points are gone. Students can check in at games with FourSquare and earn points through RaiderUpRewards.com to earn free WSU prizes.

A new agreement with the concession provider at the Nutter Center, Ovations, will give students 50 percent off concessions (excluding alcohol). The athletic department hopes this will cut down on long lines students had to wait in during past seasons.

The Raider Rowdies also promised neon glow sticks and balloons at every home game, as well as new big heads to distract opposing players while shooting free throws. Students will be a main focus throughout games this season according to Mark Gazdik, associate athletic director for marketing and promotions.

“Games are all about having fun,” Gazdik said. “Students are where the energy comes from in a building, and we want students cheering, jumping around and having fun.”

Gazdik and the rest of the athletic department hope to garner student interest by having themes for many games this season, including Hawaiian, military and toga nights.

“Students play a big role in games,” Gazdik said. “A good student section is worth at least four to six points per game and we want to make sure we get those points.”

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