Join the 'Red Army'

I'm tired of people complaining about only getting eight basketball tickets.\nSure it sucks, but have we really earned our right to see every game? Is our student section one to dread? Is it one that is renowned as one of the rowdiest, most feared groups of fans in the country?\nNo.\nTo be honest, we are totally "weakhouse." Have you seen the Cameron Crazies? The Izzone? Those fans create a riot, a wall of sound that is impossible to ignore. And yet here we are, THE basketball school in THE basketball state, doing nothing to top them.\nAnd no, that "crimson crazies" idea from last year is not even close. Come on … everyone knew we were trying to copy Duke. And we don't want that, do we?\nNow this might not be our fault. Out of around 17,000 seats in Assembly Hall, only approximately 7,000 are given to students, which makes about as much sense as … actually, it doesn't make any sense at all.\nIt is necessary in the course of human events to make a statement. And now is the time. Are you a hardcore Indiana basketball fan?\nThen fight for it. Make all 7,000 of those "allotted" seats ignite.\nIt's time we rise up and make it known that this is Bloomington, Ind. -- "a drinking town with a basketball problem."\nIt's time we stop messing around.\nIt's time we start "The Red Army": a rabid student section that sprawls all over Assembly Hall, putting fear into the hearts of every visiting team with its sheer power and audacity.\nYeah, I know … we're not red anymore. But it has a glorious ring to it, doesn't it? "The Red Army." It already sounds like we kick ass.\nFor those of you not "in the know," "The Red Army" is another name for not just the Soviet military, but also the fanatical soccer hooligans that root for Manchester United, England's finest football club. And these, like all other hooligans, aren't your typical fans. They pick fights with other hooligans, overtake bars, overturn buses and they'll punch a fellow United fan for not supporting the team enough.\nThat is commitment.\nAm I saying we get violent? No. Am I saying we take a cue from Manchester? Of course. Am I saying we get a little crazy? Oh, yeah.\nSo what can you do to help the cause?\nDress like a maniac. Paint your face like Braveheart, only you know … red. Wear red camouflage pants. Spray paint your clothes red. Emulate a cheap floozy. Hell, wear the bare minimum to legally be allowed into Assembly Hall. Dress like a cartoon character.\nChant until your voice is hoarse. Give number 22 so much crap when he's on the court that he feels guilty about being there. Sing "Cecilia" by Simon and Garfunkel at the top of your lungs in a drunken stupor. Lose yourself in the moment ... and yes, the music, etc.\nLook and act like you're out of your damn mind.\n We are too soft on the other teams! When Purdue comes to town, we want the Boilermakers to be afraid of "The Red Army" before they get there. We need a reputation like no other because we are a school like no other. We need to make the experience of playing at Assembly Hall hell.\n"The Red Army" is a commitment to scaring the other team and having a great time. It's letting go for 40 minutes and supporting our team to no end. It's uniting and showing that we deserve every ticket they can give us.\nWhy?\nBecause we love basketball. And we have been holding out long enough. It's time we create "The Red Army" and make it thrive.