The Friar Fan Experience

The most valuable sixth player in Providence College men’s basketball history isn’t someone who came in off the bench. It’s the Friar fans, who continue to pack The Amp every gameday. Revisit some iconic stories about Friartown’s diehard supporters.

Game Day in Friartown

Get to know some of the people who give the Friars their home-court advantage, including members of Friar Fanatics, the Pep Band, Dance Team, and Dominicans.

Cheerleading student section video play button

IN THE SPIRIT

Cheerleading

Providence College Cheerleading is a Division I program that supports athletics in the BIG EAST Conference. The team is comprised of male and female athletes.

Dance Team

This spirited group of women cheer on the Friars during basketball games and also perform at center court during timeouts.

Friar Fanatics

The on-campus club devoted to PC athletics and all things Friars help promote games, amp up the student section, and create the best gameday experience for both students and student-athletes.

Pep Band

The Providence College Pep Band is an instrumental group that features full brass, saxophone, and rhythm sections. The band supports Providence College at men’s and women’s basketball and ice hockey games, as well as special campus events.

Dribbling to the Garden

In 1971, 12 seniors dribbled basketballs 212 miles from Alumni Hall to Madison Square Garden to recognize the return of the men’s team to the National Invitational Tournament.

Providence College Basketball players dribbling in the Garden

The Journey – Dribbling to the Garden

The Plan – Dribbling to the Garden

Fate – Dribbling to the Garden

The Destination – Dribbling to the Garden

The shirts were modeled at the season ticket holder dinner in June by, from left, Nate Watson ’21, Justin Minaya, and Al Durham. Minaya holds a note from Swift. — The shirts donated by Taylor Swift were modeled at the season ticket holder dinner in June by, from left, Nate Watson ’21, Justin Minaya, and Al Durham.

Taylor Made

Taylor Swift loves the Friars, too. After her 2008 song “You Belong With Me” became the anthem of the student section during men’s basketball games at the Amica Mutual Pavilion during the 2021-2022 season, Swift responded by sending boxes of merchandise to the Department of Athletics. Among the items were Class of ’22 shirts and patches, accompanied by a note: “Hi Friars! What an amazing 2022 season! Congratulations to you all on your incredible and inspiring success. Sending you all hugs! Love, Taylor.” The shirts were modeled at the season ticket holder dinner that year by, from left, Nate Watson ’21, Justin Minaya, and Al Durham.

The walls in the game room of Kerry Rafanelli '80 are covered in Friar memorabilia from his student days to the present.

The Writing on the Wall

Learn more about the “living scrapbook” of Friar basketball memorabilia that covers every wall of this Friar fan’s game room.

The Blizzard of 1978

“… On Sunday, the men’s hoop team was scheduled to play UNC at the Civic Center. The Tar Heels supposedly got a lift from the National Guard, and the nationally televised game went on. Since there was still a driving ban, only those who could walk to the game could get there.

Can't think of a better video to post on #NationalMascotDay. Rick Pitino interviews the Blues Brothers and the Phantom Friar. #pcbb pic.twitter.com/ro8Wfvu3Ao
— FʀɪᴀʀTV (@FriarTV) June 18, 2020