Who has the top student section?

ATLANTA — Who has the best student section in college basketball? Is it Arizona’s “Zona Zoo,” Duke’s “Cameron Crazies,” or Gonzaga’s “Kennel Club?” What about Kentucky’s “eRUPPtion Zone?” College basketball fans everywhere will have a say in determining the most deserving school by voting now for the Naismith Student Section of the Year Award

By visiting I Love College Hoops on Facebook, fans can vote for one of the nearly 80 Division I basketball schools that submitted a nomination. The Naismith Student Section of the Year Award, which is presented through a partnership of the Collegiate Licensing Company, a division of IMG College, and the Atlanta Tipoff Club, administrators of the Naismith Awards, is dedicated to celebrating fans that love college hoops and provide support to their college basketball team with devotion and passion.

“We are excited that so many Division I basketball schools are touting their student section as the best in college basketball,” said Eric Oberman, Executive Director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club.  “Now it’s time for students, alumni, and fans of these schools across the country to make their votes count to help their school win this award.”

Nearly 80 schools representing 21 conferences are vying for the title. The Big East and Big Ten Conferences have the most schools participating followed closely by the ACC and Big 12. Participation also includes athletic conferences ranging from Conference USA and the Pac-12 to the Big Sky, the MAC and Southland.

The Naismith Student Section of the Year Award will be determined through two rounds of public votes, combined with a scoring of finalists by the Naismith Awards Board of Selectors, which will review criteria such as the student section’s name and attendance, as well as photos, video, and a write-up submitted by the nominating school.  Complete details on the selection process can be found at facebook.com/ilovecollegehoops.

“College basketball student sections love college hoops and bring the emotion, energy, and spirit that defines the home court advantage, and we want to celebrate that,” added Tim Hawks, Senior Director of Brand and Retail Development for CLC. “We need fans to vote now and vote often to help ensure their school — and not their rival — gets recognized for the spirit they pour into supporting their team.”

The winning student section gets bragging rights, while the winning school will receive $5,000 for its athletic association.