I am writing in response to Michael McVey’s letter, “NIU poor sports,” which appeared Feb. 5.

First of all, thank you Mr. McVey for attending an NIU game! The men’s basketball team is experiencing its best season since 1972 and you finally come out to support your team.

The Huskies need more fans to come to one game late in the season, this really helps build team spirit!

The point of morale leads me to another issue. The “air-heads” and “lucky shot” signs are designed to get the fans into the game, boosting the team, a sixth man per se.

The fans who did cheer when UNI’s number 40 stood up are in attendance to support NIU and Coach Molinari’s Huskies, not the visitors!

The comment that I find particularly offensive is in reference to the cheerleaders, more specifically, the girls’ dance(s).

The function of the cheerleaders, who recently placed tenth in national competition (where UNI’s “superior” cheerleaders were not even invited to attend), is to get the crowd into the game.

The fans, who applaud loudly after the girls dance, do not take any offense. Obviously you did not pay close attention to the NIU cheerleaders, who performed during free throws.

In fact, the stunts that NIU performed were applauded by UNI after the game at the party that we threw for the UNI cheerleaders!

Truth be told, the NIU cheerleaders were asked to teach the UNI cheerleaders new stunts!

Mr. McVey, speaking on behalf of the NIU cheerleading squad and loyal Huskie fans, I politely invite you to stay home next year when you feel compelled by a groundhog to come see the Huskies.

While the NIU teams need fan support, we do not need people to attend games and complain about our fans, players and cheerleaders. Go Huskies!

Kevin Patrick Camden

Freshman

NIU Cheerleader