Katie Ward, Staff Writer

 The roar of Mountaineer pride will soon echo throughout the Southern Conference with the inauguration of basketball season’s Mountaineer Maniacs program, according to Assistant Director of Athletics Mark Dreibelbis.

 Dreibelbis said the project was designed to create an exciting atmosphere and a home-court advantage during basketball season.
“We want to rekindle excitement inside Varsity Gym,” Dreibelbis said.  “We want students to have fun and let loose.”

 A $5 membership fee is required to cover the cost of a T-shirt. However, this fee allows several program benefits.

 Dreibelbis said students clad in Mountaineer Maniacs shirts will have reserved center-court seats throughout the season.

 Each registered member will receive a concession card allowing five free beverages during the season.

 Members will also be invited to participate in half-time contests and pre-game giveaways.

 Prizes will be donated by Nike and the Appalachian State University Bookstore, according to Dreibelbis.

 At the conclusion of basketball season, the Mountaineer Maniacs member who has attended the most games will receive a grand prize, compliments of the athletic department.
 
 “We want students to have fun and enjoy themselves, but to remember why they are doing it,” Dreibelbis said.

 In order to participate in the program, students must register at one of three registration times.

 The first available time to register is the Nov. 10 men’s basketball home game.

 Students should report to the contact table between 6 and 7 p.m. if they wish to sign up for the Mountaineer Maniacs program, said Dreibelbis.

 Students may also show their support for the men’s basketball team and register at a Nov. 12 pep rally, held from 12 to 1:30 p.m. in Cascades in the student union.

 According to Dreibelbis, this pep rally is an opportunity to promote the basketball team and to solicit support for Mountaineer Maniacs.

 Students can report to the ticket office in Broome-Kirk Gymnasium from Nov. 11 through Nov. 14 for the final  registration opportunities.

 Registration is integral to participation in the program. Dreibelbis said students must register if they want to be on the official Mountaineer Maniacs mailing list.

 Dreibelbis said the program welcomes all students willing to make a lot of noise and show their Appalachian State spirit.

 According to men’s basketball Head Coach Buzz Peterson, Mountaineer Maniacs is an exciting program that will hopefully incite students to get more involved in all aspects of men’s basketball games.“The basketball team is human like the rest of us,” Peterson said.

 “The more people that come out and show their support equals more work from the team,” he said.
 

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