Category | Sports

Striped Crew socks it to campus

Published on October 30, 2007 by The Sentinel

     Up until Fall 2005, KSU had no official
traditions behind its athletic
programs. Sean Bizjack and Nick Mracek saw the need for change. The
foundation was set very simply and turned into what is now known as the
Striped Crew with more than 1,500 members.

    The original “Crew” consisted of fifteen members
customizing a pair of black and gold striped knee socks. Paint was then
applied, school gear worn and the Striped Crew chant rehearsed.

    Since its beginning, Striped Crew has become an
official student organization and the official student section for
athletics.

    More than 500 students now own a pair of striped socks.

    “Striped Crew encourages every student on campus to
join them as they paint up, wear their socks and get loud and crazy in
support of the KSU Fighting Owls,” said Bizjack. “It’s a fantastic way
to meet new people, get involved with the school and most importantly,
have fun. With basketball just around the corner, Striped Crew is
working towards increasing the number of fans that will be present at
games. In order to meet this goal, the organization will be hosting
tailgates before every home game this fall. Several other innovations
within the organization have started, including the production of
official Striped Crew t-shirts, promotional give-a-ways of stickers,
cuzies and a fall calendar. Charter busses are also being incorporated
for away games.”

    “The Owls need support at as many games as possible” said vice president Keith Sweeney. 

    The most recent addition to the organization is the
Striped Crew Hotties. The Hotties are a group of women that are focused
on bringing more support to athletics. As promotional representatives,
the Hotties work toward reaching the many students living on or around
campus.

    The Striped Crew can also be found at the tailgates
and games giving away free Striped Crew gear, painting faces and
helping to increase the level of energy found at the athletic events.

    Striped Crew is currently working with the athletic
department on planning a kickoff tailgate for the men’s basketball game
on Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. All basketball tailgates will be held on the road
between the Convocation Center and the Wellness Center. 

    Though Striped Crew’s goal is to help boost
attendance, its members also want to help make the school spirit at KSU
stronger.

    “There is still far too much UGA and Tech apparel
worn around campus,” Bizjack said. “With Striped Crew, students at KSU
finally get a taste of a real collegiate athletic atmosphere which you
see all the time on ESPN.

    “You could compare Striped Crew to more well known
student sections in college sports, like The Kennel at Gonzaga, the
Cameron Crazies at Duke or the L raisers at Louisville. But unlike
those sections, Striped Crew actually promotes the athletics at KSU.
You will see them this November helping promote the addition of
Football to our Athletic Department.”

    After trips last year to support the Owls on the
road, the Striped Crew is again planning more road trips this year,
including when the men’s basketball team travels to Auburn, Nov. 13.

    As Striped Crew continues to grow, the group hope
that ten years down the road, the group could be known throughout the
country as one of the most intimidating student sections in the NCAA.

    “If our recent growth is any indication, you can pretty much count on that,” Bizjack said.

    Striped Crew is open to all students. To become a member or for more information, go to stripedcrew.com or visit their Facebook page .