Ayrton Oneill
Grand Canyon University's Havocs fan section is known for its enthusiastic support of the school's basketball team, the Lopes. The Havocs are known for their creative and energetic cheers, with students going above and beyond to demonstrate their school spirit and pride. The group was started by students Brandon Kaiser and Taylor Griffin in the mid-2010s when the Lopes moved into their new 7,000-seat arena. The Havocs have since grown to a group of at least 4,000 students, with some sleeping outside the arena the night before games to be the first ones in line. The group's name, Havoc, refers to widespread destruction, and its members are known for their boisterous and passionate support, with chants, cheers, and costumes all contributing to the electric atmosphere.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the group | The Havocs |
| University | Grand Canyon University |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Reputation | Craziest fans in college basketball |
| Fan section | Havoc |
| Number of members | 2,500-4,000 |
| Dress code | Purple |
| Pre-game rituals | Chanting, dancing, music, face painting |
| In-game rituals | Cheering, standing, pointing at the other team's bench |
| Post-game rituals | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
GCU Havocs' reputation
The GCU Havocs are a group of wildly enthusiastic students who are die-hard supporters of Grand Canyon University's basketball team. Their reputation as the "Craziest Fans in College Basketball" is well-deserved, with their energetic and creative cheers, chants, and routines. The Havocs have transformed basketball games into electrifying events that bring the student community together.
The Havocs' reputation for creating an incredible atmosphere at GCU basketball games is known across the country. Former Louisville basketball player Donovan Mitchell, now with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, reportedly said, "GCU is crazier than Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina." When then-Louisville coach Rick Pitino, the former Kentucky coach, took his team to GCU for a game in December 2016, he described it as "the toughest crowd I've ever faced."
The group's reputation has grown significantly since Grand Canyon University's move to Division I level basketball 11 years ago. The Havocs' numbers have swelled to around 4,000 students, and they are known for their passionate and boisterous support, donning purple costumes and unfurling a massive banner before games. Their pre-game routines are carefully choreographed, and their enthusiasm continues throughout the game, with non-stop cheers and celebrations.
The Havocs' reputation extends beyond the basketball court. They are also known for fostering a sense of community and school spirit on campus. As Karstem Kem, President of the GCU Havocs, explained, being a Havoc provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their pride and passion for their university. The group welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and with varying interests, uniting them under the common goal of cheering the Lopes to victory. The Havocs' reputation for school spirit and camaraderie has become an integral part of the Grand Canyon University identity.
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The Craziest Fans in College Basketball
College basketball is one of the most followed sports in America, and for good reason. The passion and unpredictability of the game are matched only by the enthusiasm of its fans. While many schools have dedicated fan bases, a few stand out for their particularly crazy supporters.
Grand Canyon University (GCU) and its Havocs fan section are renowned for their electric atmosphere and creative ways to cheer on their team, the Lopes. GCU students go all out, with pre-game parties, music, and choreographed routines in crazy costumes. Their passion has transformed basketball games into must-attend events that foster school spirit and community. The Havocs' dedication has earned them recognition as possibly the best student section in college basketball.
Duke University's fans, known as the "Cameron Crazies," are also notorious for their passionate and loud support. They fill the Cameron Indoor Stadium, creating one of the craziest places to play in college basketball. The Duke Blue Devils fans are so dedicated that they are often considered obnoxious during the March Madness tournament.
Other schools with crazy fan bases include Wake Forest, known for their loud and proud fans who make their home court a tough place to play. Georgetown Hoyas fans also come out in force, creating an intense atmosphere that intimidates opposing teams. Kansas Jayhawks fans are passionate and creative, with their unique "Rock Chalk" cheer, while Seton Hall fans are dedicated, annually contending for the NCAA title.
The enthusiasm of these fan bases showcases the unique culture and spirit of college basketball. While some may view their antics as obnoxious or crazy, there's no denying that these fans bring an extra layer of excitement and energy to the game.
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The Havocs Experience
Inside the arena, the energy reaches new heights. The Havocs section is a standing-only zone, with students committed to screaming their support for the entire game. The group choreographs pre-game routines, with creative cheers and chants directed at the opposing team. The Havocs work tirelessly to devise new and innovative ways to cheer the Lopes towards victory, ensuring that each game is a memorable event.
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The Monsoon
The name "The Monsoon" was eventually dropped in favour of "The Havocs", which means "widespread destruction". The group has since grown to thousands of members, and their reputation has soared since the GCU basketball team's move to Division I level 11 years ago. The Havocs are known for their passionate support, with members cheering from start to finish, standing throughout the game, and creating an environment that visiting teams dislike playing in.
The GCU Havocs have been described as the "craziest fans in college basketball" by USAToday, with their passionate support and unique traditions, such as sleeping outside the arena before games and painting their faces and bodies in team colours. The group's leaders are responsible for maintaining and building upon these traditions, as well as introducing new ones, to ensure that the GCU Havocs continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of college basketball.
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The GCU Arena atmosphere
The Havocs' dedication to their team is evident from the very start of game day. Tents are set up outside the arena, with dedicated students camping out overnight to be the first ones in line. The campus buzzes with excitement as students don their purple gear and paint their faces in the school colours of purple and white. Inflatable basketball hoops appear next to the student union, and Havocs leaders rally their peers over a microphone, urging them to come and support the team.
As the sun sets and the game draws near, the atmosphere intensifies. The Havocs, known for their choreographed pre-game routines, pump up the volume with upbeat electronic dance music, creating a party-like atmosphere. The signature tune, "Party Till We Die," with its infectious beat and energetic lyrics, transforms the pre-game festivities into a jumping, dancing celebration. The Havocs' leaders, like Joshua Gillespie and Grace Haskins, play a crucial role in orchestrating this electric environment, ensuring that the music and festivities meet the unique and energetic style the Havocs are known for.
Inside the arena, the energy reaches a fever pitch. The Havocs section, a sea of purple, stands united, cheering relentlessly from start to finish. Their chants are carefully choreographed, and they employ simple yet effective tactics like staring and pointing at the opposing team's bench in unison. The Havocs' goal is to create an intimidating environment for visiting teams, and their success in doing so has even earned praise from opposing coaches, who have acknowledged the challenging atmosphere they foster.
The Havocs' impact extends beyond the basketball court. Their enthusiasm helps foster a sense of community and school spirit, bringing students from diverse backgrounds and interests together under a common banner. Their passion and dedication have transformed basketball games into more than just sporting events; they are now occasions that unite the student body and create lasting memories. The Havocs exemplify the power of school spirit and the ability of sports to unite and inspire a community.
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Frequently asked questions
GCU has been using havoc for basketball since the mid-2010s.
Havoc means "widespread destruction".
The GCU Havocs are a group of wildly enthusiastic students and fans who cheer on the GCU basketball team and create a lively atmosphere at games.
The GCU Havocs use music, dancing, cheering, and halftime entertainment to create a fun and energetic environment at basketball games. They also wear purple costumes and paint their faces and bodies in GCU colours.
The number of GCU Havocs has grown over the years. Initially, there were around 2,500 Havocs, but that number has since increased to 4,000 or more.
