Fresno State Athletics
Return to Grant's Tomb
12/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 1, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - Red Wave fans took a trip back in time Tuesday night for the Bulldog's six-year homecoming to what was coined "Grant's Tomb", also known as Fresno's downtown Selland Arena, the former home to the men's hoops team . Fresno State concluded the two- week, four-game West Coast Classic in a faceoff against the Tigers of Pacific.
Fans brought back the traditions that were known at "Grant's Tomb" packing the arena for a fun-filled, historical night that brought the magic of 36 years of Fresno State basketball, which included the reign of former men's basketball coach Boyd Grant's legacy, who led the Bulldogs to a 194-74 record in nine years.
Following a ritual familiar to fans at Selland, Red Wavers kicked off the game seven minutes to tip-off and congregated into two, cheering lines on all sides of the hardwood court for the "human tunnel," a ritual supporters know well, to greet and welcome the `Dogs to the court for play.
But the true essence and memory of Bulldog basketball came alive at half time, when all fans took to their feet as Grant, along with many of his first-year, 1977-78, former student-athletes took to the floor for a special ceremony to recognize and remember the Bulldogs who pounded the same courts some 32 years prior. Grant gifted eight of his first players with commemorative plaques sketched with Red Waves and PCAA Championship wording, which athletes say, started the Red Wave.
"I feel proud that there are still some people there who remember us and think I'm good then I am humbled by it but I want people to know that if someone thinks I am then that's really great," said Grant. "I couldn't believe how these players refused to lose after our win over California. It's funny to me that they called it the Red Wave because they just kept riding that Red Wave like it was never ending. Every time we went out I think they were such a smart team and they paid the price. We played great defense and it's because of how hard these kids worked."
Former Bulldog players shared similar memories.
"Its great to be back," said former 1977-78 student-athlete and Bulldog Hall of Fame honoree Peter Verhoeven. "My first emotion being back on court was that I wanted to play tonight. My son is playing and we go to different teams and schools and everywhere you go you know the Red Wave. It's been 30 years since we've been here and people still remember us."
In addition to tonight's halftime ceremony, the Bulldogs welcome the Fresno State dance team to the floor for its first performance for basketball fans this season. Tonight's routine also marks the team's first and only appearance at Selland this season.
"This is first game for basketball game and we're really excited," said senior dancer Britney Reyes. "We're all really excited to perform a choreographed routine at the half and to get out there and show people what we got. It takes a couple of nights to get our formations and then a good amount of time to get it down so we we're just really excited."
More than 7,000 fans gathered together for tonight's game in the `Dogs old backyard to remember some great figures in Fresno State men's basketball history.
