DE Assistant Sports Editor

To the average fan, they may appear rude, sometimes sarcastically humorous and quite often rowdy, but one thing is for certain members of SIUC’s Dawg Pound are among the most loyal of Saluki men’s basketball followers.

Standing and cheering from section L and K of SIU Arena, the Pound consists of a dedicated group of Saluki fans known for their unrestrained cheering performance, and despite the team’s 11-13 record this season, support from the Pound has not waned whatsoever.

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Regardless of the Salukis’ struggle, Pound member Brandon Haake, a senior in physiology from Nashville, said the teams woes are perfectly understandable.

People say it’s (record) the coaches fault, but I thinks that’s just an excuse, Haake said. Its understandable because it’s a rebuilding year we lost four starters. Those guys out there now are working hard every game and that says a lot about coach Herrin’s ability.

Those guys aren’t giving up and I thinks that is a coaching feat that says a lot about Herrin and the team. They’ve still got a chance at making it to St. Louis.

Haake said he has witnessed a lot of empty seats in the Arena this season and does not believe fans should abandon the Salukis so quickly.

We have supported the Salukis during the worst and the best of times, Haake said. There are a lot of fans in the stands when we are winning, but where are they now? If the numbers grew, I think it would be great. I’d really like to see every seat in section L and K filled.

Chris Zigler, a senior in marketing from Nashville, and four-year Pound member, said a team’s record should not dictate fan support.

I think you should always stand behind your team no matter what happens, Zigler said. We root for the Dawgs every game and no matter what happens we want to bring the home court advantage to SIU.

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Like the basketball team, the Pound has seen its fair share of turmoil, as witnessed last season.

Signs ridiculing officials and taunting opposing players at the free throw line are the most common tools of trade used by Pound members. However, last year the Pound was reprimanded as the team was penalized with two technical fouls because of the vulgar phrase, you suck.

Since the incident, Pound members have apologized and promised not to use vulgar language again. Although the entire Pound was not at fault over the incident, Zigler said many members are labeled as the bad boys of Saluki basketball a label not easily shaken.

It’s going to be hard to shed that label. I just want people to know that we are trying to defend our Missouri Valley Conference title, and get everybody into the game.

MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin said the president of the NCAA has increased efforts to end unsportsmanlike conduct on behalf of students in the stands.

I think the president of the NCAA has employed good sportsmanlike conduct by calling for tougher regulations, Elgin said. Much like fighting rules, it has really cleared up the language.

Elgin said the use of profanity during college games has been a problem across the NCAA and the Pound, like various other student groups, simply overstepped the language boundary last year.

Taunting from the student section is fine, as long as it is not in terms of profanity and does not get out of hand such as throwing things, Elgin said.

Elgin said organizations such as the Pound, Bradley’s Molinarmy, or Illinois Orange crush, add excitement and enhance a game.

There is no question that there is nothing better in college basketball than active student groups, he said. Student groups are more active than the boosters and season ticket holders.

Matt Cordoni, a senior in finance from Sherman and a dedicated Pound member, does not deny the fact that Pound members are by no means the average fan.

We are not your average fair weathered fans, he said. But we have had an incredible following over the last several years and we enjoy being there a lot.