City of Rain Supporters show their SU pride

Dressed in black and red, chanting and banging on drums, the student-run club, City of Rain Supporters, came out in full force when the Seattle University Redhawks competed against Simon Frasier at home.

Even though the men's soccer team lost 0-1, COR demonstrated that the citywide soccer craze has officially hit Seattle U.

When Erin Lane saw a distinct lack of school support for Redhawk soccer, he decided to not only start a group that would fill the need for soccer enthusiasts but would catch some the soccer fever taking over Seattle.

Lane, sophomore computer science major, started the soccer enthusiasts group COR last year and has since had strong support from both the team itself and the school. This year, Lane is also co-president of RedZone.

"I wanted to create something similar to the Emerald City Supporters and support the school team," he said. "In fact, the coaches and some of the players are actually members."

The main intent of COR is to unite soccer fans around common interests from pick-up games—where soccer fans get together to play informal games—to viewing parties. Recently Lane decided to shift the focus of COR as the men's soccer team becomes one of the first Seattle U squads to compete in D-I.

Lane understands the importance of strong fanfare because he's not just a devoted soccer fan—he played all through high school and has a strong love for the game.

"When the stands are empty, it can be demoralizing and defeating. If you have a strong fan base, if they are putting into it what you are, if the team sees the banner going up, they will say ‘that's for us,'" said Lane.

Even though COR's intent is to inject some energy into the soccer enthusiasts on campus, Lane understands it has been an uphill battle getting support for soccer at Seattle U. Though Lane has respect for Seattle's other sports, he cites "soccer culture" as being the defining difference between soccer and other sports.

"In soccer, there are no fair-weather fans. Everybody loves Seahawks games, but the Sounders [Seattle's MLS soccer squad] fans have more unity and creativity as to what's being sung and chanted," he said. "Even a reserved person can have just as much fun at a soccer game."

Optimistic about the fanfare at Seattle U, Lane said he sees victory ahead for the Redhawks.

"[Seattle U] has brought in young talent, like John Pegg, which will help us in the future," Lane said. "They are on the right track."

Lane also sees a MLS cup in the Sounders' future: "Being that the cup is in Seattle it is a huge incentive, there is no way they can lose in a jam-packed stadium of Sounders fans."

The City of Rain Supporters meets at every home game on Championship Field. Conference matches for men's soccer begin Oct. 18 as the Redhawks face the University of New Mexico. The first conference home game will be Oct. 23 against Sacramento State.

Ryan can be reached at dischr@seattleu.edu