By Ashlea Hellmann

They sit in section 206 at football games and section 121 at basketball games. They scream, the cheer, they show up game after game.

They are the devoted fans known as the L-Raisers, the University of Louisville’s student spirit group.

According to sophomore Public Relations officer Chynna Hibbitts, the point of the group “isn’t to be the loudest at football and basketball games, but to support the other Olympic teams on campus.”

By attending the games and matches of other sports teams like soccer, volleyball and field hockey, members of the group earn points toward garnering premium football and basketball tickets. These tickets are given to the L-Raisers by the Student Government Association.

Others feel the group may be taking advantage of this privilege.

Some students believe many L-Raisers show up to the other games only to get their tickets for the football and basketball games, not to support those teams.

“It is like communism,” junior mathematics major Benjamin Jordan said. “Some people work their butts off and others just sit around and get the same benefits.”

Jordan’s statement is in reference to those like L-Raisers President John Cecil, who, according to Jordan, is much more dedicated than other L-Raisers.

Other students feel the same.

“[The L-Raisers] can’t just sit there and suck on their thumbs and do their homework,” freshman mechanical engineering student Maryoko Sam-Agwor said. “Don’t do that at a volleyball game because we all know that you sure as hell wouldn’t do that at a football game.”

Junior sports administration major and L-Raiser Andy Knabel said it is hard for the L-Raisers to get together and have a lot of spirit when, “there is no real student section because everyone is spread out and you can’t get a real student section vibe.”

Hibbitts said while football and basketball support may not seem top notch, the group does their job at other games and has the evidence to prove it. The group was recently listed on a scouting report for a men’s soccer game. The report stated to watch out for the student section because they could be very intimidating.

Sophomore sociology major Michael Oghia said he is one of few who comes to swim meets, and the other fans all tend to be significant others of the swimmers.

Others claim the group does a poor job of leading the school in spirit. Many don’t like the fact that L-Raisers receive the best student seats at the games, yet fail to invoke crowd participation.

However, Hibbitts said this is an impossible task because the student sections are incredibly spread out, especially at football games, and so many people seem to be against them.

“It is hard to try to lead a spirit group when everyone is against you,” Hibbits said. “It is like 100 vs. 44,000 at football games.”

It’s not just the students who feel as though the group could amp up their spirit a little.

A group of men’s soccer players said they love the support the L-Raisers show but would prefer a more constant group who would do things like tailgate for games.

Many feel that the L-Raisers could be a valuable group if they would make a few adjustments.

“They could set an example, but they need to do more than just wear their shirts and do the C-A-R-D-S cheer,” junior sports administration and SGA Co-Director of Athletic Affairs Ryan Nebel said.

Nebel, who controls the L-Raisers’ tickets, also mentioned other ways that the group could get involved, including painting their bodies, tailgating and creating new cheers and traditions.

Freshman sports administration major Gabriel Baawo said he is not sure exactly what the L-Raisers could do to improve, but he does feel like the group needs to have an all-or-nothing approach.

“If you are not going to go the whole nine yards then don’t go eight and three quarters,” Baawo said. “You’ve got to go the whole distance.”

The L-Raisers said they are always looking for new members to expand their organization further.

“Just come to the meetings, pay your dues and you get two shirts,” Hibbitts said.

The L-Raisers meet the last Tuesday of every month in Floyd Theater and information can be found on their Facebook Web site.

“There really is no reason not to join if you are a Louisville fan,” Hibbits said.