It's late in the second half of the women's ECAC championship game loss on Saturday afternoon, and for a moment, there's actually a great deal of energy from the crowd. Lauren Gregor '06 just sent a rocket of a shot towards the Western Connecticut goalie. Ricocheting off a Colonial defender's head, the ball bounces into the top of the net.People all over the scattered bleachers and standing on the track bordering the field yell with excitement and finally the section of parents from opposing Western Connectcut in the bleachers is silenced. For just a second, there's excitment at a Brandeis soccer game.

Alas it is short lived, as less than a minute later the Colonials strike again, putting the game out of reach. The Judges finish the season a win short of an ECAC title and fans walk away from Gordon Field quietly while the Colonials are receiving their trophy.

It would be undoubtedly easier for Brandeis to play host to a more exciting soccer atmosphere with better seating accomodations.

"We need a whole new complex that's going to be more conducive to getting people to come down," Athletic Director Sheryl Sousa said.

There is one tall set of bleachers and smaller one-level bleachers scattered up and down the sidelines. The small bleachers directly adjacent to the baseball field often host a contingent of other varsity athletes and on Saturday were filled by men's soccer players.

The most hardcore spectators rarely sit, choosing to watch the whole game standing on the ashphault track surrounding the field. It seems at soccer games in particular, fans just don't have the energy to really get lound and behind the players.

Only a couple hours later, inside and away from the cold of New England's burgeoning winter, the atmosphere is quite different, that of a school with an athletic department on the rise.

Brandeis is hosting its annual Tip-Off Tournament, the season opener for both basketball teams. There is a sizeable fan presence as the women's basketball team defeats Mt. Holyoke College for the tournament championship, but not as much as one would hope considering the team is coming off an ECAC championship and the most successful seaon in the program's history. It is the men's basketball game an hour later that shows the direction in which Brandeis athletics are heading.

It is the season opener for the men's basketball team, a season that marks the beginning of a new era for the program. Ten rookies are playing their first game in a Brandeis uniform and the bleachers in Red Auerbach Arena are actually almost full.

The club cheerleading squad is trying excite fans from the baseline. WBRS is doing a sideline broadcast and BTV is filming from the top of the bleachers. The Judges put on an entertaining show, but the young team eventually falls to Colby Sawyer, 75-70.

There's a growing level of excitment surrounding teams at this school. Part of that is certainly due to the fact that certain teams are beginning experience remarkable turnarounds. Leading the effort to build on this excitement are the women's soccer and basketball teams. The basketball team is currently ranked 22nd in the nation while the women's soccer team finished one win shy of an ECAC championship a season after losing in the ECAC semifinal game.

"You need the success," Sousa said. "If you're not winning you're not going to get that excitement. It's crucial."

This growing atmosphere is on full display during the men's basketball opener. With the game close down to the wire and the Judges playing inspired defense, the almost full bleachers of fans are fully involved with contest. Free thundersticks contribute to a healthy noise level and some plays even bring fans to their feet.

There is also the usual contingent of varsity atheltes on hand, the most reliable and in many ways the most supportive fan group at Brandeis. Mutual support between athletes is practiced almost to a habit at Brandeis, and the athletes usually also provide the most vocal energy during games.

"The varsity athelte is the built-in fan," Sousa said. "We should be supporting each other and I'd like to see even more [support]."

"For Brandeis athletics to become more sucessful, it starts with students and student athletes," men's soccer player Scott Zacharoff '07 said. "It's a big boost for athletes to see their fellow students supporting them."

Samara Spitzer '07 is one of the cheerleaders pouring her energy into nurturing this blossoming athletic environment. After rousing Brandeis fans into support of the Judges, she is happy with the progress that has been made, but sees infinite room for improvement.

"I think there's an improvement from what we use to have," Spitzer said. "But we could get so much more excitement and more cheering going on, and I'd like to work on that."

It is also thanks to efforts by the athletic department that more and more people are coming out to support Brandeis teams. Last year's "free pizza" nights were very successful, something the department plans to continue this season. Also key in generating excitement was the approval by University President Jeduda Reinharz for a halftime contest in which a fan can shoot for the chance at a semester of free tuition.

"The administration has been extremely supportive and has pushed for opportunities," women's basketball coach Carol Simon said. "I think we have a good product and people know.

"I thought the turnout the whole weekend was pretty good," Sousa said. "We're just getting started. I think that people are going to start to realize that this is a fun place to be."

While progress has been made, Sousa knows this is no time for comlacency. At a time when teams are enjoying success and students are enjoying the ride, it is imperative that the department continues to reach out to students.

This is important not only in rounding up fans to fill the seats, but also in more deeply involving the average student with the athletic experience at Brandeis. Through longer gym hours and increased organization of club and intramural sports, the department is getting more people into the gym. That makes getting them to stay for a game much easier.

It is also important to realize that an environment such as Brandeis', this newfound excitement can fade twice as fast as it appeared. Athletics is secondary at best at Brandeis, and Sousa seems to realize the importance of holding onto people's attention.

"I think there is [enough energy] and I think that it will build," Sousa said. "We need to show people that this is a good way to kickoff their weekend. I think if more people came down they would get hooked. We have a great group of student athletes working very hard to represent Brandeis."

Behind Sousa's and the department's efforts, the athletic experience at Brandeis will continue to improve.