As the men’s basketball team took the win against Colorado School of Mines on Feb. 27, a crowd of excited students chanted, cheered and celebrated the win. Who got this crowd out of their seats and on their feet?
Freshman Isaiah Ortega has led the crowd not just in this game, but at most basketball games this season, bringing the excitement and energy needed to boost the team’s morale.
Ortega wasn’t always the crowd hype man. He used to go to games just to watch until a friend dared him to see if he could get the crowd fired up. It worked, and he’s stuck with it ever since.
Ever since the basketball game against Black Hills State in December, Ortega has been hyping up the crowd. “I’m passionate about helping the team to feel motivated and I enjoy getting the crowd involved and getting everyone excited,” he said.
Although Ortega didn’t start energizing the crowd right away at UCCS, he always loved doing so in high school. When he goes back to watch games at Pueblo Central High school, his parents tell him to not sit in the student section because they can tell he’s gearing up to get the crowd excited.
He may miss hyping the crowd at his high school, but he’s found a new love in attending the games at UCCS. “One thing I love about UCCS is making new friends around campus, spending time with them [and] going to all the games with my friends,” he said.
At the end of every game, Ortega congratulates the players on both the men’s and women’s basketball teams, even when they lose.
At one game last semester, Ortega accidentally got the crowd cheering on the away side. There is no clear indicator of the home and away sides at UCCS games. “I just gotta be careful, who’s on UCCS’ side, because you never know what team you’re gonna get pumped up,” he said.
With the basketball season ending, Ortega said he is excited to start attending games for other teams like lacrosse and soccer to get those crowds excited too.
Isaiah Ortega. Photo by Anysia Hovel.