By PJ Marcello, Staff Writer -- marcello13@up.edu
Pilot alumnus and lifelong fan Pat Becker Jr. is a man on a mission.
His goal: fill Chiles Center with as many Pilot fans as it can hold for tonight's men's basketball game against Gonzaga.
"In past years, Gonzaga games at the Chiles Center have been essentially home games for the Bulldogs," Becker said.
Last year, Athletic Director Larry Williams told Becker tickets were going on sale for the game, which would almost certainly be swooped by a majority of Gonzaga fans. In response, Becker told him he would buy some. He bought 500.
The news of Becker's purchase spread as he sold the tickets, intended to fill the Chiles Center with UP fans for the big game.
This year, Becker swooped tickets again in order to rally UP fans and to continue the foundaton for a tradition of a rowdy environment for Pilot games.
"This team and recent teams that (Reveno) has put together is one of the greatest stretches in Pilot basketball history," Becker said. "If they put up 20 wins again this year, it will be the third season in a row. I don't think that's happened here before, what better time to start some tradition?"
Becker has been to games at Gonzaga and Duke, and watched the Pilots play in the 1996 NCAA Tournament. He has witnessed the impact a crowd can have on a game and on a team. This is something he hopes the success of the Pilot men's basketball team can instill in fans starting with the Gonzaga game.
"I don't know if we have had lazy fans or they've just been spoiled, but let's get more rabid and start a tradition," Becker said.
But just what makes this Gonzaga game so special to Becker?
"I went to Jesuit (High School) in Portland, so many of my buddies chose to go to Gonzaga so these games have always meant a little bit more," Becker said.
Not only does the rivalry spark his interest in this game, but also admiration for the building process of the Gonzaga basketball team.
"I have watched what they have built there and it didn't happen overnight," Becker said. "I have a lot of respect for their program but there is no reason we can't be as good as them or better. I mean, we are in Portland, which most would say is better than Spokane."
This year may be the Pilots' best chance to beat a struggling but always dangerous Gonzaga team. Coming off a huge win against No. 24 St. Mary's and building a 12-0 home record this season along with a packed Chiles Center should create a great environment for such an important game.
Students are expecting a raucous gym and a victory over the typically dominant Bulldogs.
"Crowds have been a little small but we need it like the last game," sophomore Phil Stenberg said, "The St. Mary's game was great, packed to the top. We need that same atmosphere. Fans goin' crazy every time they made a dunk."
"I'm feelin' like a 68 to 59 win! It'll be close but the free throws at the end will add to our victory margin," Stenberg said.
The Pilots tip off against the Bulldogs tonight at 8:00 at the Chiles Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN 2.
In the words of Pat Becker, "Go Pilots!"
