by Tom Sena
Daily Lobo
When UNM finished construction on University Stadium two years ago, a new section of seats was added to the north end zone and a new tradition in UNM football was born.
A group of fans calling themselves the Red Menace saw the addition to the stadium as an opportunity to create some enthusiasm for Lobo football.
UNM football players and fans now look to the north end of the stadium and see a large group of fans showing school spirit and wearing bright red clown wigs. The club, headed by LeeRoy Bandito and Dom Zarrella, was tired of fans who would not stand or make noise during the game.
"We thought that if we buy enough tickets, sit in the end zone and have enough people around, nobody will tell us to sit down," Bandito said.
Bandito and Zarrella started a Web site, www.TheRedMenace.com, in order to recruit members.
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"We needed a way to get out the word," Bandito said. "We needed a meeting place for our members. Instead of meeting at a club we decided it would be better to post ideas and events on a Web site."
The Web site also includes articles on football games and feature stories on football players written by members of the Red Menace.
Most of the Red Menace members have invested in season tickets.
Bandito expected 50 to100 season tickets to be sold through the Red Menace in its inaugural year. But by the time he went to the ticket office there were more than 300 season tickets on order.
That number has grown to 508 for the 2003 season.
Although people in the Athletics department were happy with the ticket sales, they didn't quite know what to expect from the new club.
"There was another Web site that existed before us that UNM had some problems with," John Salazar, a writer for the fan club's Web site, said.
After the Athletics department felt confident that the group had good intentions, they quickly embraced it. The coaches were willing to do interviews with Red Menace writers, and the group was issued a media pass last season.
Former UNM cornerback Brandon Gregory said the players like the idea of a rowdy group of fans sitting in the end zone. He believes the group has created a home field advantage for the Lobos.
"I've had friends on past (opposing) teams we played," Gregory said. "They'd be like, 'who's that group in the end zone making all that noise.'"
During the 2001 season, many players started the "Lobo Leap" tradition.
After a victory, players run to the north end zone and jump on the front railing, allowing fans to personally congratulate and interact with players.
Salazar said that many people enjoy the new tradition.
"It's really neat for the fans and the players," he said. "It brings the fans a little closer to the team."
Salazar said he thinks traditions such as the Lobo Leap will help local kids develop a passion for UNM football. He said this might help keep football talent in the state.
"In the long run when the next Bobby Newcombe comes along, he won't go out of state," Salazar said. "These local kids won't dream of being a Cornhusker or a Hurricane. They'll dream of being a Lobo."
Newcombe, a 1997 graduate of Albuquerque Highland High School, played football at the University of Nebraska and later for the Arizona Cardinals.
With the growing popularity of Internet fan sites, members of the Red Menace hope they can have a hand in recruiting. Bandito said players and parents of players regularly read fan Web sites. He said these sites show a rabid fan base, which is an important recruiting tool and support system for the team.
Each member of the Red Menace believes the group and concept will play a part in UNM football for many years. They hope to have fans in the entire stadium cheering as loud as the group at the north end.
"It's not just an end zone section," Bandito said. "It's an attitude."
