In the northern region of the Beehive State resides the Cache Valley. Lying there is the quaint city of Logan, with a population of around fifty-thousand people. One of the city’s main attractions is Utah State University, founded in 1888. While being home to a successful football program, it is Aggie basketball that truly brings the community together. Because of this, the home of Aggies hoops is quite like nothing else in college basketball.
The Dee Glen Smith Spectrum holds 10,270 spectators and provides a unique atmosphere, to say the least. I recently had the privilege of attending a game here, as San Diego State took on Utah State on January 4. Despite the students still being on break, they showed up in numbers to support their Aggies. USU may have struggled in a losing effort, but it was easily one of the coolest things I’ve experienced as a sports fan.
The atmosphere in the Spectrum is largely due to the Hurd, Utah State’s student section. It makes up a massive portion of the venue, adding to the raucous vibes. The students are constantly on their feet and making a plethora of noise. Whether it be the famed ‘I Believe’ chant, or the Scotsman, the Hurd shows that there is no lack of school spirit in Logan.
Another detail I noticed was the community feel that runs rampant in the Spectrum. Everyone I came in contact with was extremely kind, and it was overall a pleasant experience. Even after losing, I witnessed family friends greet each other while exiting.
I had previously heard great things about the Spectrum, but seeing it first-person was an absolute blast. As someone who has attended a Duke game at Cameron, my expectations are rather high. While this may sound blasphemous to some, I can say that I believe the Smith Spectrum provides an equally impressive environment to watch a college basketball game.
