By Tony Starns, CC Men’s Basketball Coach
In a small remote location deep in the plains of West Texas lies the home of one of the most unique and special environments in all of junior college basketball.
For forty-four years the Dawg House, a name locals have coined, has been the home of the Clarendon College Bulldogs.
Over the years, the Dawg House has transformed into an incredible home court advantage due to the fact that it has many qualities most facilities lack.
It possesses aura and character that are felt when opposing teams arrive in the confines. Each coach dreads the time of year they have to bring their team into the atmosphere that the many supporters create on game nights. Most importantly, the Dawg House instills a sense of fear and intimidation into opponents as they enter the place known as the toughest place to play in junior college.
Clarendon College basketball programs have competed in the Dawg House since 1968 and there are many attributes and aspects that separate it from other facilities around the country.
The size of the facility plays a major factor, and in a league where most of the facilities are considered too large to fill, the Dawg House fills easily.
“Our fan base is great,” Clarendon College Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tony Starnes said. “The local people really get involved in our College students’ lives and they really support our athletic teams. The student support is second to none. We are known for having the loudest and proudest fans.”
The acoustics are a factor also.
“It’s the loudest gym I have ever been in,” Rick Cooper, Head Coach at West Texas A&M University, said.
Becoming the toughest place to play in junior college is a byproduct of having exceptional support from the faculty, administration, local community, and student body. And, each group is extremely important to the legacy of the Dawg House.
“First and foremost, you have to mention the baseball, RFO, and judging programs,” Starnes said. “Over the years, these programs have played a big role in some of the biggest wins the Dawg House has ever seen. They are known as the most energetic cheering section in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.”
Secondly, one must note the consistent support from the community.
“There are numerous individuals and families who have not missed a game in years,” Starnes said.
The Dawg House has an atmosphere that is unlike any other basketball facility in the country and some of the best coaches in junior college agree.
“When I coached at Clarendon College back in the 80s, we were able to compete with anybody because of the sixth man otherwise known as the Dawg House,” Mark Adams, Howard College Head Coach and 2010 National Champion said. “The local people and the students make that facility the hardest place in the state at this level to play in.”
The Dawg House has been feared by opposing teams and coaches for many decades.
“When I was at Western Texas, we would bring our baseball team in to our practice to try to simulate the crowd, the noise, and the atmosphere that we were about to face at the Dawg House,” Jason Sauter, former Western Texas Head Coach, said.
Steve Green, Head Coach for South Plains College and 2009 and 2012 National Champion echoed those sentiments.
“The energy that is created within those four walls by the local fans and student body is as formidable as we will see all season long,” Green said.
“In my 14 years of coaching at the junior college level, there is not a tougher place to play than at Clarendon College (Dawg House),” Chris Bauman, Trinity Valley Community Head Coach, said. “It is a 10 point advantage in my opinion.”
Spud Webb, the former Midland College legend and NBA great, was quoted in The Amarillo Globe-News recently as saying “I remember in Clarendon the fans would pound those buckets. Your ears would be ringing all the way back to Midland.”
The aura and perception of the Dawg House are known and feared by each opposing participant.
“We have great fans, whether it is the local people or our student body,” Starnes said. “It is a great college basketball atmosphere and is a selling point in recruiting.”
“It is a privilege to be a part of the Dawg House and I am very appreciative to all of the fans that have made the Dawg House a crazy, but special place to play,” Starnes said.
The 2012-2013 Bulldog and Lady Bulldog basketball season has arrived and the excitement level is higher than ever.
The Dawg House has always been a key component in the success of the men’s and women’s basketball program and this season is no different.
Coach Starnes has always said the crazier the Dawg House gets the better chance the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs have at being successful.
Each member involved with the CC basketball programs asks each of you to come out and support the Bulldogs this season. Let’s make sure that the Dawg House is rockin’ in traditional fashion during every home contest this upcoming season.
For basketball schedules, click on “Athletics” at www.clarendoncollege.edu
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