Griffin Truslow | Staff Writer

Beaver fans, students, and faculty showed their pride by wearing gold to the basketball games on Wednesday, Nov. 28 in Buena Vista University’s (BVU) Siebens Fieldhouse for Gold Rush Night.

Senior Kyle Auffert, member of the Alumni Association Student Board, created the Gold Rush event to make the atmosphere a more enjoyable one for both the fans and players.

“It was created to get things kicked off the right way and get a bunch of students in the stands. Things are a lot more fun when there are more people there. It was probably the best basketball game I’ve been to at BVU,” Auffert said.

Auffert was not the only student impressed with the student section sporting their gold gear. A front row member of the crowd, junior Jennifer Dimig, reported that she thought the event was a success.

“The overall atmosphere was great. Everyone had a lot of energy and school pride. Plus, I really liked that we got rally towels!” Dimig said.

Men’s Basketball Head Coach Brian Van Haaften enjoyed seeing all the fans in the stands. Van Haaften remarked that the crowd had an effect on the way his team played also.

“It helps us play better and play with more passion. Our guys look forward to home games with great electricity in the building,” Van Haaften said.

The Gold Rush turned out in the Beavers’ favor. The final attendance of the game reached 600. The men’s team defeated the Morningside Mustangs 95-82, and the women’s team squeaked by Bethany Lutheran College 67-64.

The women’s team will be in action next on Thursday, Dec. 6 in New Ulm, MN while the men’s team will hit the road on Saturday, Dec. 8 in St. Peter, MN.

Photos by Aaron Burns