Mountain Echo

Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: Sports

Superfan to make season debut at Catholic Clash.

Whether you consider him a Mount St. Mary's trademark or the insufferable superhero-knockoff that won't sit down, your friendly neighborhood Superfan will once again be back in action this Saturday for the annual Mount/Loyola Catholic Clash. To the returning students, you need no introduction; but to you newcomers, Superfan has become as permanent a fixture at Knott Arena over the passed two winters as the basketball team itself. Donned in a pair of outgrown blue sweat pants with a large "M" painted over his meaty-yams and stomach (which likely serves as his motivation to keep climbing those wooden bleachers late in the second half), Superfan maintains the same stance as he did when he first arrived in Emmitsburg two years ago.

"Superfan's only goal is to bring a Division I atmosphere to a Division I school," said Superfan in a confidential interview.

Through further discussion with the mysterious caped crusader, it was clear that Superfan's motives have often been misunderstood by his peers. While some might mistake him as a misplaced Animal House character, Superfan actually promotes a healthy environment for the Mount Maniacs.

"Superfan's goal is never to bring a crazy, out of control, party atmosphere to a game," said Superfan. "You don't need the liquor, you don't need drugs, you don't need any of that. It's really just finding what's deep down inside of you, things that you've always wanted to do but couldn't. That's all you need. You only have four years in college, take advantage of it."

You see, the Mount community is privileged to have something that many other colleges cannot provide: The chance to go out and support its team as it competes at the highest level of collegiate athletic competition. And although the student section is frequently strong in numbers, whether through embarrassment or laziness, it often lacks the spirit that Superfan longs to see.

"You really need to go out there and put the 'I need to impress this girl' or 'I need to look cool in front of my friends' mentality behind you," encouraged Superfan. "If you feel like you have to put on a certain image in society to make friends or be associated with certain people, is that really the right way to go about it? Just go and show your school spirit. You see it on TV with the Duke's and the North Carolina's. They're not embarrassed, why should we be embarrassed."

The truth is that Superfan symbolizes the youthful part in each and every one of us that begs to be let loose every once in a while, but for whatever reason we're conditioned to keep it pent up.

"Superfan's message is to bring out the Superfan in everyone. Everyone has a Superfan. Superfan has one," said the character consumed by his necessity to address himself in the third-person. "Now is the time to make a change. The more Superfans we have, the more supportive we can be."

Thus this weekend marks the biggest home opener of arguably the most anticipated season in Mount St. Mary's 20-year Division I history. The message is clear:

"Loyola's a big game for us. Superfan isn't saying go out there and take your shirt off… if you want to, great… but all you need to do is get loud, help start chants, get the place roaring. Don't sit in the stands. We only get to see our team play 40 minutes a week, so stand up and let them feed off your emotions."

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