NSU’s The Finatics changes the game-day experience

By Isabella Fernandez de Cueto •

The Finatics, a student-run organization that holds the official NSU Athletics student section, is making a comeback after being inactive since 2017.

“Finatics aims to bridge the gap between the student body and athletics, as well as to create athletic traditions and pride in being a Shark,” said Kacie John, coordinator for Revenue Generation, Marketing and Promotions for NSU Athletics and The Finatics adviser.

Athletics staff drew inspiration from other schools in the process of re-establishing the organization.

“Many other schools have clubs like this on their campuses, like the University of Miami, and seeing what their student population is able to create and produce was an influence and push for us to do it,” John said.

The recent success of NSU Athletics was also a contributing factor in The Finatics resurgence.

“We’ve won five national championships within the past two years, we’re a powerhouse Division II program, so if our sports teams are performing well we really want to get as much involvement and pride in supporting as we can,” John said.

The Finatics hold pregame events for students to make posters and play games, and they also collaborate with student-athletes to promote athletic events through social media, fostering a connection between students and student-athletes.

“The student-athletes are always willing and excited to be in a promo video or photo with Finatics members, so that relationship is really growing. Hopefully, student-athletes will eventually even start joining the club when they’re not in season and further grow the relationship,” said Renny Haines, marketing graduate assistant for NSU Athletics, and The Finatics member.

The recent activity with The Finatics has also sparked a shift in the atmosphere at NSU sporting events, most notably at basketball games.

“In previous years, we would get a good student turnout at games, but they would lack energy. We’ve noticed since we started having pregame events, making posters, and having Razor the mascot there, there’s a new energy within the crowd and everyone’s pumped up,” Haines said. “You can tell the players see it too because they get excited and start pointing at the crowd, and they even start chanting on the bench to get the crowd to start chanting.”

As The Finatics grow, members can expect to receive several new perks.

“Down the road, The Finatics will have things like specific giveaways and priority access and seating to games and other sporting events,” John said.

The Finatics is open to all students looking to bring pride and spirit to NSU.

“We are really just building a family of passionate students, whether you like sports or not, just bringing awareness to our school and building school spirit, while also making friends along the way,” Haines said.