Bronco talk

Nick Figone, better known as the "Leavey Lunatic," is the unofficial cheermaster at Santa Clara's basketball games. He sat down with contributing writer Mary Anne Sunseri to discuss his name, costume, reasons for supporting the team and options for his successor after his graduation.

MS: How did you come up with the name Leavey Lunatic?

NF: It came from Mr. Ruff Rider himself, Michael Zozos. It was either that or the Santa Clara Fairy, and I was very much in favor of the Leavey Lunatic.

MS: Can you describe your costume?

NF: It has been consistent, except for the last home game. I kinda mixed it up. In addition to my maroon shoes, pink pants, hula skirt, lays, bandanas and flower petal headdress, I went for a more tough guy approach and threw on some gold chains and a skeleton wristband with spikes coming out of it and studded belts and things like that. I really wanted to add that tough guy edge to my costume.

MS: So how long have you been doing this?

NF: I just started this basketball season. I've gone to every home game we've had so far. It's been great, I've really enjoyed it. It's something that I brought on entirely by myself. I don't know if you want me to start getting into that.

MS: I would, actually.

NF: It all started as an avid basketball fan, always sitting in the stands, and just sitting around people who weren't making any noise. I was always, and still am, the loudest voice in the Leavey Center. I decided that it was time for somebody to get everybody pumped up and actually give our team a solid home court advantage. I am the cheermaster and the unofficial mascot for Santa Clara University. Second to Bucky the Bronco, of course. I wanted to really combat the student apathy for athletic events.

MS: The team has said that it's really helped to have more of a fan base.

NF: They absolutely does. I was talking to Kyle Bailey just a few days before they left for Portland and Gonzaga, and we were talking about it and joking around, but he said "Hey, I love it, and the guys really appreciate it."

MS: Do you think something like your character would be good to have for the other sports event that don't have as much of a fan base?

NF: Absolutely. Ideally, part of the agreement that was made between myself and Dan Galvin from the athletic department was I'm supposed to go to as many athletic events as possible, not just men's basketball games. However, the reality of the situation is I am only one guy and can only go to so many sporting events and yell and scream my brains out. But I will, by the end of season, go to some women's games and help them out.

MS: Are you allowed into the WCC matches in March?

NF: That remains to be seen. I really hope that I will be allowed to continue my performances into the tournament because that's where we're really going to make our push for the big dance in March.

MS: Did you go to all the men's games before this season?

NF: Yes. I've been going to our men's basketball team's games since I was a freshman. It's been a long love affair with college basketball and, in particular, our men's basketball team.

MS: Since you've been to all the home games this season, have you noticed anything they really need to work on or anything they've really progressed in this season?

NF: I really think that the team has become more aggressive. I definitely think that with the addition of Brody Angley this season, he's really brought on the aggression, coupled with Travis Niesen's unparalleled ferocity of play. I would like to see Travis pass the ball once he gets double-teamed, because he's a marked man now. When the defense is collapsing to a double-team or sometimes even a triple-team, he needs to kick it out to Bailey or Perkins or Ethan Rohde to hit a three or maybe a closer midrange jump-shot, which I think we're capable of making.

MS: Well, you've talked about the strengths and weaknesses, and hopefully they'll be working on them. They'll be playing at home soon.

NF: They'll be home soon. I think there's really no excuse for an empty student section because we have a great team. We're an exciting team. We're explosive at times and it's a fun time. People should give it a shot and make it an event. I'm there to provide a little bit of entertainment and to help make it an event and create a better atmosphere. And I'd also like to pass on the torch, as it were. Maybe, in this case, pass on the megaphone.

MS: That's right, you're a senior this year.

NF: Yes. I've personalized the megaphone and decorated it as only I can with painted pasta shells. I have bow-tie and rigatoni painted into an SCU and I hot-glued it on. I got some colored straws and lots of Santa Clara Alumni Parents stickers and that sort of thing. It's a work in progress. But I'd love to pass it on to somebody who will take the reins after I leave.

MS: Do you have any options so far?

NF: Nobody has actually come up to me about it. The position is open. I wish we could have a little two-, three-, four-man team. Whatever it takes.