The Dew Crew

Dew News

Hope Continues to be
Basketball Attendance Leader

For the fifth straight year, Hope College has led all NCAA Division III men's basketball programs in home attendance. And the women's basketball program continues to grow its attendance base as the Flying Dutch ranked fourth among DIII teams in 2006-07.

This is the ninth time in school history that Hope has been the men's basketball attendance leader. The MIAA champion Flying Dutchmen averaged 2,923 fans per game over 15 dates topping runnerup Wooster, Ohio by almost 1,000 fans per contest. Wooster averaged 1,943 over 19 dates followed by MIAA rival Calvin who averaged 1,891 fans per date.

Othe years when Hope led the nation in men's attendance were 1984, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006

History

Assistant Coach Matt Neil is responsible for the beginning of the "Dew Crew," the Hope student cheering section who sits directly across the floor from the Hope bench. Started over a decade ago, the idea caught on and includes orange Mountain Dew crew T-shirts. Now more than 400 students cram into the section. "It's been contagious, generates and invigorates the students. These kids are connected to the players. They are with them in classes and in the dorms and now they huddle with them before the game," Neil said.

In addition to self-made, innovative cheers, responding to the college cheerleading team, making a ritual of placing three-point placards on the wall and providing halftime entertainment, the "Dew Crew" is a major element of the home games. A smaller contingent usually appears at away games.

Other colleges have contacted Hope inquiring as to the arrangement. High schools are also using ideas for their student section cheering. Neil struck on the idea while watching the University of Illinois "Orange Krush" unit during a basketball game. Neil's wife came up with the idea of "Dew Crew," Neil contacted local bottling company officals and the program was off and running. The Pepsi-Cola Corporation owns Mountain Dew. Students are charged a nominal fee for shirts.

Taken from "100 Years of Hope Basketball" by Randall P. Vande Water '52.

FAQ

What is The Dew Crew?:
The Dew Crew is Hope College Basketball's exciting student section, which has been around for 11 years strong. The Dew Crew is known as Division III basketball's premiere student section, and has been featured numerous times in publications and even on ESPN's Greatest College Rivalries.

Why are you called The Dew Crew?:
We are graciously sponsored by Mountain Dew, a product of the PepsiCo Corporation. The 'Dew keeps up going strong throughout the long season.

How do I join/get tickets?
Any Hope College student can join The Dew Crew just by coming to a game and being willing to represent Hope College by being the loudest fans in all of college basketball. Certain games require a ticket entry, and those will be posted. For all other games, a valid student ID and your orange shirt or costume will do!

How do you get these orange shirts you speak of?
Offical Dew Crew t-shirts can be purchased for the low price of $3 at the DeVos Ticket Office located on the concourse of the DeVos Fieldhouse. Please bring your student ID. T-shirt sales after the first game will depend on availability

What are The Dew Crew chants/traditions?:
It would be impossible to describe them all here. However, for newcomers- please read this section to better understand exactly what you are getting yourself into.

• Player introductions: During Hope player introduction, a double clap followed by a single clap. For Opponent a circular arm motion with an emphatic 'who cares.' There is also a player/Dew Crew huddle.
• Game tip-off: A Dew Crew leader will shout 'Who's house?' and The Dew Crew will reply 'Our House.' Then the whole section will chant 'This is our house!' Followed by jumping up and down and shouting for the tip.
• In game cheers: "Here we go Dutchmen, here we go ," "Dutchmen 5X," "Dutchmen Defense," "D-D-D-Defense," Rowing: Some row on water, we row in our section. The Dew Crew sits down, places hands on the persons shoulders in front of you, and rows away!
• The Three Man: A appointed position to a freshmen student who celebrates each 3-point basket.
• The Sub Ref: Everyone sits down and 1 designated person with a referee jersey stays standing, while everyone points and yells 'Sub.'
• Free Throws: Hope: Silent, with spirit fingers. Opponent: "Left, Left, Left... RIGHT!" Opposing player foul out: The air lassoe with noise followed by 'See Ya' as the player sits down.Crew
• Code of Conduct: The Dew Crew is the most energetic student section, while being the classiest. We do not condone profanity, lewd gestures, or racial slurs of any kind. We condone loud cheering support for our team.

Contact Us

To get in contact with The Dew Crew, e-mail:
thedewcrew@gmail.com