The Zone (Michigan)

The Zone is a student cheering section for the University of Michigan women's volleyball team that emphasizes high levels of spirit and sportsmanship. Founded in a period of low attendance for the program, this determined group rejuvenates the support that characterizes Michigan fans.

Origins

In 2004, members of the trombone section of the Michigan Marching Band lived across the street from Cliff Keen Arena. The section decided to rally and show up en masse, standing in the section of Cliff Keen behind the opposing bench. Coach Mark Rosen was so impressed with the impact the fans had on the game that he arranged for the printing of an official banner and two years of student-designed T-shirts.[1]

The section closely coordinates cheers with the volleyball pep band. Despite the unusual demographic of its core fan base, The Zone welcomes all fans who are willing to participate, wear maize, and cheer loudly. Members of the Maize Rage often attend games for extra support and enthusiasm during rivalry matches.

Whether on the road to cheer the Wolverines to victory or packing the bleachers at Cliff Keen Arena, the Zone strives to conduct itself in the professional manner embodied by the University of Michigan.

Impact

Before The Zone's foundation, renegade hecklers caused controversy by shouting controversial cheers that resulted in the Big Ten issuing a crowd control statement. Members of The Zone currently strive to conduct themselves in a manner to avoid such incidents in the future.

The crowd control statement issued by the NCAA in 2002

The image, support, and impact of the fans has changed, as five of Michigan Volleyball's top 10 home attendance records were set in 2004, the same year The Zone was founded. This includes 2,223 fans who watched the Wolverines take on Penn State on November 27 - the second largest crowd in U-M volleyball history.[2] Michigan's "rowdy and annoying fans" were mentioned by a Michigan State player in 2004.[3] Michigan State alumni were similarly affected in MSU's five-game loss to Michigan in 2005.[4]

The University of Michigan's summer volleyball camps use The Zone as a recruiting tool. A paragraph in the summer camp brochure describes the fans who support Michigan in "a very loud, boisterous collegiate manner."[5] In 2005, renovations to Cliff Keen Arena included a large picture of The Zone underneath the main scoreboard as well as a backlit plastic sign with the same photograph in the Cliff Keen lobby.

External links

References

  1. ↑ Jacqueline E. Howard (10/2004). There's No Place Like Home. The Michigan Daily.
  2. ↑ 2005 Weekly Release #3. MGoBlue.com.
  3. ↑ Tina Reed (10/2004). Spikers set for rematch vs. Michigan. The State News.
  4. ↑ Tina Reed and Chris Turner (11/2004). Spartans take win from U-M, 3-2. The State News.
  5. ↑ Michigan Summer Camp Brochure. MGoBlue.com
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