Nebraska becomes Hilton for fan group [with video]
Tommy Birch
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LINCOLN, Neb. - All Alex Hofstad had to do was look down to see he'd accomplished his mission.
The Cyclone Alley co-chairman of external relations helped organize a road trip for Alley members to Lincoln for the Saturday men's basketball game against the Huskers.
"I know the people who are sitting in front of us are ticked off, so I think we're doing our job well," Hofstad said.
The daylong event, which cost fans $15, included a T-shirt, food, a ticket to Saturday's game and transportation. Hofstad estimated more than 200 fans filled the four chartered buses that made the journey to the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
"Just being able to pick up and bring fans from one of the best student sections to another stadium like this and have an impact on the game - I feel like we're doing our job as Cyclone Alley fans," he said.
That impact included chants of, "Where are your students?" and "Cyclone power" - something Cyclone coach Greg McDermott could hear from the court.
"That's awesome," McDermott said. "They were fabulous."
And loud, as usual. The group, which took up a section of rows in the upper balcony, first made the trip to Lincoln in 2005. Slowed by a snowstorm, Alley members didn't arrive until halftime.
"We showed up, TV commentators and everyone in the stadium just turned and were like, 'holy cow, Cyclone Alley just showed up'," Hofstad said. "We have a rich history here. It's great to come in here and just be loud and just rock this place."
It's that history that inspired some of the 200-plus fans to get up to arrive at the Jacobson Athletic Building at 10 a.m. for the three hour drive.
"It's awesome," said Kellyann Kovach, senior in management. "We have a lot of really good Cyclone spirit, so we have fun here and have a blast."
Hofstad said he hopes the strong support will enable him to plan more trips to upset opposing fans around the country.
"It definitely keeps trips going," Hofstad said. "It's benefiting our team. We come here and this is Hilton West, as we refer to it. We're making it our home-court advantage, but we're on the road."
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