Saoirse Downs
Are We Going to the Zoo? is a short comedy film and a children's song about going to the zoo and observing the animals. Interestingly, The Zoo is also the name of the student section of the Oakland Zoo, Pitt's 1,500-seat basketball court, known for being one of the loudest and most creative student sections in the nation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Oakland Zoo |
| Type | University student group |
| University | Pitt |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Venue | Petersen Events Center |
| Year of Formation | 2001 |
| Number of Seats | 1,500 |
| Clothing | Gold T-shirts |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Oakland Zoo's popularity as a student section
The Oakland Zoo is the name of the student section at the University of Pittsburgh, known for its enthusiastic and creative support of the school's basketball team. With 1,500 seats, it is one of the largest student groups at Pitt, and its official Twitter account has more than 9,000 followers. The group was started in early 2001 by Pitt alumni Matt Cohen and Zach Hale, who wanted to revitalise the student section at the Fitzgerald Field House. They gathered some friends to form what they called the Oakland Zoo, and the group quickly grew in size. The Zoo's members typically wear gold T-shirts, and some even dress in animal costumes. Their popularity and enthusiasm have made the Oakland Zoo a valuable football recruiting tool for the University. The group's loud and creative chants and cheers create an intense and exciting atmosphere at Pitt basketball games, making it one of the most intimidating student sections in the nation for visiting teams. The Oakland Zoo's presence and energy have become an integral part of the game-day experience at Pitt, contributing to the school's reputation for having one of the most passionate and engaged student fan bases in basketball.
Mastering H2H Fantasy Basketball: Strategies for Success
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Oakland Zoo's role in football recruiting
The Oakland Zoo is the dedicated student cheering section for the University of Pittsburgh's basketball teams. The Zoo is named after Oakland, the neighbourhood in Pittsburgh where the university is located. The students don gold t-shirts and cheer on the Panthers from the bottom tier of the stands at the Petersen Events Center. The Oakland Zoo has gained a reputation as one of the most formidable student cheering sections in college basketball, receiving coverage in notable publications and media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and ESPN.
While the name "Oakland Zoo" is specifically associated with the basketball cheering sections, the University of Pittsburgh's football cheering section often goes by the name "The Panther Pitt." This distinction underscores the focused role of the Oakland Zoo in basketball rather than football.
However, it is worth noting that the Oakland Zoo era in the University of Pittsburgh's sporting history also encompassed football games. Joyce Joynes Langston, affectionately known as the "Crazy Dancing Lady," became synonymous with her unrestrained dancing at both Panther home basketball and football games. Langston's exuberant presence frequently earned her scoreboard appearances, solidifying her place in the memories of Pitt home games.
Additionally, the University of Pittsburgh's basketball and football teams share a common fanbase, with some fans enthusiastically supporting both sports. This overlap in fandom is evident in the history of notable fans like "Tiger" Paul Auslander, who served as an unofficial cheerleader at Pitt basketball games in the 1970s and early 1980s. Following his high school years, Auslander also coached amateur basketball teams and demonstrated a similar passion for football, as evidenced by his football coach's encouragement to "Be a tiger!".
In summary, while the Oakland Zoo is specifically the student cheering section for the University of Pittsburgh's basketball teams, the broader context of the university's sporting culture includes a shared enthusiasm for both basketball and football. The Oakland Zoo's role in basketball cheering has contributed to a vibrant atmosphere that extends beyond the basketball court and fosters a sense of community among students and fans alike.
The Standard High School Basketball Rim Size Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Oakland Zoo's wardrobe choices
The Oakland Zoo is the name of the 1,500-seat student section supporting the University of Pittsburgh's basketball team. The Zoo is known for being one of the loudest, most creative, and most intimidating student sections in the nation. Members of the Oakland Zoo are easily identified by their distinctive wardrobe choices.
For most Pitt students, the wardrobe is simple: a gold Oakland Zoo T-shirt. The group started in early 2001 when Pitt alumni Matt Cohen and Zach Hale wanted to reinvigorate the student section at the Fitzgerald Field House. They gathered some friends to form what they called the Oakland Zoo, and they adopted gold T-shirts as their uniform. Over time, the group grew exponentially and even became an official University student group in 2002. Today, the Oakland Zoo is one of the largest student groups at Pitt, with a significant online presence and a following of over 9,000 followers on Twitter.
While most members wear the iconic gold T-shirts, some Oakland Zoo members take their wardrobe choices a step further. Some dress in animal costumes, adding to the creative and fun atmosphere. Others bring giant cardboard cut-outs of players' heads and the head coach, Jamie Dixon, showing their support and enthusiasm for the team.
The wardrobe choices of the Oakland Zoo are not just about fashion or uniformity; they serve a purpose. The gold shirts are a symbol of unity and pride for Pitt students. As J.D. Schroeder, one of the Zoo's leaders, said, "When you put that shirt on, you are truly a part of something." This sense of belonging and camaraderie is essential for fostering school spirit and creating an intimidating environment for opposing teams.
In addition to the gold shirts, some members of the Oakland Zoo have been known to wear navy gym shorts, high white socks, and headbands. This particular combination of wardrobe choices was spotted during a February 2011 home game, showcasing the versatility and dedication of the group's fashion choices.
The SEC Basketball Tournament's 2025 Location
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Oakland Zoo's formation and growth
The Oakland Zoo, founded by naturalist Henry A. Snow, first opened in 1922 as the Snow Zoo by Lake Merritt. This followed Snow's 1919–1922 expedition to Africa for the Oakland Museum. Snow's son, Sidney, and other family members assumed the care and feeding of the growing zoo. However, noise and expansion concerns led Snow to donate many of the animals to the City of Oakland, which were moved to Sequoia Mountain Park (now Joaquin Miller Park). Sidney continued to care for the remaining animals by Lake Merritt.
Sidney Snow then convinced the Bank of Italy to assume the mortgage for Durant Park, the current site of the Oakland Zoo. Sidney moved his animals to the park and opened the zoo. After many of the animals died at the City's Sequoia Mountain Park, Sidney advocated for and won the support of Oakland citizens to return the animals to him. He then formed the Alameda County Botanical and Zoological Society as a support organization.
In 1926, the zoo moved from Snow Park to Joaquin Miller Park, and in 1939, it moved to its current location in the hills of Knowland Park. Over the years, the Oakland Zoo has grown from a single building to 100 acres, attracting almost 900,000 guests per year and becoming one of California's four largest zoos. The zoo has also become a pioneer in animal welfare, partnering with animal rights organizations such as PETA.
The Oakland Zoo has undergone significant changes and improvements in animal care, welfare, habitats, and infrastructure. The zoo has also developed conservation work and education programs. In 1988, it received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Under the leadership of Dr Joel Parrott, the zoo grew from 25 acres to 100 acres, with a team of 240 employees, and became a nationally accredited, award-winning, progressive, conservation and education-focused zoo.
Best Affordable Basketball Shoes for the Court
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Oakland Zoo's impact on the game atmosphere
The Oakland Zoo is a 1,500-seat student section supporting the Pitt men's basketball team. Known for its loud, creative, and intimidating atmosphere, the Oakland Zoo has become a valuable football recruiting tool for the University. The group was started in early 2001 by Pitt alumni Matt Cohen and Zach Hale, who wanted to reinvigorate the student section at the Fitzgerald Field House. The group has since grown exponentially, moving with the team to the Petersen Events Center in 2002 and becoming an official University student group.
The Oakland Zoo's members are known for their enthusiasm and creative wardrobe choices, with most donning gold Oakland Zoo T-shirts. Some members also dress in animal costumes, while others bring giant cardboard cut-outs of players' heads and the head coach's head. The group's presence is felt before the game even starts, with members watching the opposing team's warm-ups an hour before the game.
The Oakland Zoo's impact on the game atmosphere is undeniable. Former Zoo president Dave Jedlicka described the experience as "40 minutes of intensity," with cheering from the tip of the ball until the final buzzer. The group's popularity and enthusiasm have made it a unique and memorable part of the Pitt basketball experience, contributing to the team's home-court advantage and leaving a lasting impression on visiting teams.
The Oakland Zoo's impact extends beyond the game atmosphere. It has become a valuable recruiting tool, with prospective athletes seeing it as a fun and vibrant student community they want to be a part of. The group's influence on recruitment showcases how the Oakland Zoo has become an integral part of not just the game-day experience but also the University's athletic program as a whole.
Overall, the Oakland Zoo's energy, creativity, and dedication have transformed the atmosphere of Pitt men's basketball games. Their presence adds an extra layer of excitement and intensity to the games, making the Pitt basketball experience unique and memorable for both the home team and visiting teams.
The Evolution of Basketball Shoes: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Oakland Zoo is Pitt's 1,500-seat basketball student section known for being one of the loudest, most creative and most intimidating in the nation. Members of the Oakland Zoo often wear gold T-shirts, and some dress in animal costumes.
The Oakland Zoo is known for intimidating visiting basketball teams. The student section’s popularity and enthusiasm have made it a valuable football recruiting tool for the University.
The Oakland Zoo was formed in early 2001 by Pitt alumni Matt Cohen and Zach Hale, who wanted to re-invigorate a lackluster student section at the Fitzgerald Field House.
