Trying to figure out the sources of the men’s soccer team’s immense success these last six years is not hard. Coach Paul Marco has been an outstanding leader for the team all these years. Great players have stepped up every season, along with a brand new stadium and outstanding practice facilities. However, the group of devoted fans that are at every men’s soccer game, a group called the Bearcat Hooligans, never seem to get much credit or attention √É¢’ until now.
“We are really excited that we’re SA chartered this season,” said the head of the Bearcat Hooligans, Danny Stern. “We’re looking forward to another great season and we’re ready to get out there and help support the team.”
The Hooligans have been out of action since last season’s America East championship game loss to Boston University. The Hooligans made the trip and witnessed the Bearcats’ 1-0 loss.
“It’s something that will always be on our minds,” Stern said. “Most of us took two trips to Boston last season; both were losses and both hurt but the last one hurt in the minds of the players and the fans bad because it ended our season.”
Binghamton will have their first shot at revenge against the Boston Terriers on Friday, Oct. 16. Boston is scheduled to pay a visit to the Bearcat Sports Complex for the first time since 2007. Boston was picked to finish first in the AE, receiving every first-place vote possible; Binghamton was tabbed to finish second. The game is going to be nationally televised on the Fox Soccer Channel, which reaches more than 33 million households in the United States via cable and satellite. In the Binghamton area, it is aired on Time Warner Channel 129. This will mark the first time that the men’s soccer team will play a nationally televised game.
The Bearcats have been ranked among the NCAA Division I leaders in terms of average home attendance. During last year’s season, the team averaged 1,115 fans per game, which was 20th in the nation.
Home field advantage has been critical for the Bearcats since they began play in the Bearcat Sports Complex two years ago √É¢’ they have gone 13-1-1 at the BSC. The dominance they have shown at home certainly gives them a mental edge in games and makes home field advantage in the playoffs much more significant.
The Hooligans finally became a chartered group by the Student Association in time for this season, legitimizing their status at games. The group can receive SA funding and has the ability to raise money on campus.
“We’re going to try to be a lot more organized, and get more of a following,” Stern said. “I think now that we’re SA chartered we’re more than just a bunch of guys and girls, its going to help [recruitment].”
The group continues to look for members every season, hoping to draw bigger crowds.
“We have our Facebook page and we’re making a legitimate website,” Stern said. “We need to get our name out there, make sure we are advertising for games so students will come down and join. We’re more than happy to welcome anybody.”
The Bearcats kick off the season at home against the Syracuse University Orange on Sept. 1.
“We’ve been ready for Syracuse since the end of the season,” Stern said. “Syracuse is a huge deal and we’ll be ready.”
After two consecutive losses in the AE title game, fans are more than ready for the Bearcats to break through.
“I would love for my final year to get the championship,” Stern said. “I’m looking forward to another year and can’t wait to get out there and get behind our boys.”