What happens when 2,400 fans throws hundreds of toilet paper rolls onto a basketball court? This.
That’s the TP game at John Brown University, an annual event where fans celebrate the Golden Eagles’ first basket of the first home game by chucking toilet paper and covering the court. It always earns the home team a technical foul, but the sheer spectacle and emotion makes it all worthwhile. Besides, John Brown won the game, 101-58.
It’s been called the “best technical foul in all of sports,” which is spot on. Much like the “Silent Night” cheer at Taylor University, it’s something that’s bigger than the game and gives the Siloam Spring, Ark., school national recognition. That’s no small feat for an NAIA school.
“This is my fifth year coaching at John Brown, and the tradition has gotten bigger and bigger each season,” coach Clark Sheehy told Jeff Eisenberg. “What our players look forward to and what I look forward to is a lot of energy and excitement from the fans. It’s just a fun, fun night. I think it’s one of the greatest traditions in college sports.”
There’s delightful detail to be found in Eisenberg’s story, which gives a bit of the TP game’s history (it goes back roughly 30 years), how it’s grown and why any school would agree to play in that game.
Well, the last one actually answers itself. I mean, it’s an awesome spectacle.
Related stories:
- Silent Night, the college cheer you’ll love
- Watch a Wagner player dunk over his mother
- Every college hoops fan needs their own ‘hate chart’
You also can follow me on Twitter @MikeMillerNBC.