Fan is Hornet Believer

December 9, 1998
Originally published by The State Hornet (Sacramento State)

Mike Barnbaum is a fan.

Correct that. He is a true fan. In fact, he may be the most devoted rooter in these parts.

Barnbaum, a 24-year-old government major, was honored at CSUS' final football game on November 14 against Montana. He received ASI's award for 'Most Dedicated NCAA Football Fan.'

Barnbaum, who transferred to CSUS in 1995 from Cuesta Community College in San Luis Obispo, has only missed two road games since he began attending school here.

He has become a fixture at all Hornet gridiron clashes, home and away. His travels have taken him to such exotic locales as Pocatello, Idaho and Bozeman, Montana.

"For all the road games, I do my planning in advance," Barnbaum said. He concedes that much of his attendance would be impossible without his part-time job. He holds down the fort at Java City in the University Student Union.

What is the motivation for all of his support?

"I believe if I can do it, any student can if they schedule their time right," Barnbaum says. "As a Division I school, we've got to look at the more successful programs in the country and see how they have appeal. If you look at a school like UCLA or Notre Dame, you notice that teams like that have a nationwide fan base, even when they play on the road. It's not just parents and relatives, either. They have a proven fan base."

Barnbaum says he wants to be a role model for CSUS and its ever-changing athletic program.

"We certainly have the capability to contend for the playoffs and go to a bowl if we win enough games," he said. "Winning doesn't just happen with players and coaches. We've got to have fan support, even if we're playing a thousand miles away."

He also wants home attendance to improve.

"There is too big a comparison between a (Big Sky) conference opponent's home crow and our home crowd, and it's not good," he said.

Barnbaum, as you might guess, is an avid college football fan who sees a turnaround in the Hornets' fortunes quickly.

"I feel we will soon be able to compete with just about any other Division I program of any caliber. This program has seen vast improvement and the credit should go to the entire coaching staff," he said. "We are at least 500 percent better than the last two years, because we've placed a strong emphasis on academic performance and we've made the effort to get and retain talent."

Barnbaum was especially thrilled to be recognized on the day Charles Roberts made his rushing record.

"Roberts would not have gotten that record if it wasn't for outstanding team play, especially the line," he pointed out.

When it comes time to hit the road, Barnbaum usually relies on Southwest Airlines for transportation to those out-of-the-way places. He gets discount tickets from special offers on the Internet.

All of his devotion might not have come about, however, because CSUS football was perilously close to extinction just a short time ago. Barnbaum said he didn't know that the program was in jeopardy when he arrived here, but he would have done anything in his power to help put a stop to those plans.

"That would not have gone over easy on me. I would have gone out and tried to get whatever support I could," he said.

"Our program was unsettled back then. We now have a coach (John Volek) whose record speaks for itself. He's come into losing programs and turned them around. He'll get it turned around here."

As Barnbaum voices his optimism, one gets the feeling that come hell or high water, he'll be out there sweating and suffering with them, gritting his teeth. Because he's more than just a follower--he's part of the program.