This is a basketball town, and the Milwaukee School of Engineering wants in on it. Last week, the school announced that its NCAA Division III men's and women's basketball teams will now play their home games in the U.S. Cellular Arena. The school is banking on the new venue to increase awareness of the squads among Milwaukee sports fans.

The announcement was made at a press conference and student celebration last Wednesday that kicked off with a pep rally parade that left the MSOE campus and made its way down Kilbourn Avenue to the Arena, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave., where a new MSOE floor was unveiled. The school's mascot, Roscoe Raider, entertained the crowd and students participated in a free-throw contest (players were, of course, exempt) with a grand prize of a semester's worth of free text books.

The MSOE Raiders compete in the Lake Michigan Conference with other state universities, including Concordia University, Wisconsin Lutheran College and Edgewood College. The men's basketball program got its start in 1981 and the women's program was created three years later.

Brian Good is the head coach of the men's team. Prior to his arrival at MSOE in 1994, he was the assistant basketball coach at the University of South Dakota, where he also received a master's degree in athletic administration. He played college basketball at UW-Madison.

Good has hopeful but realistic expectations in regard to what affect the new home will have on attendance. "It's closer to home and will draw more students that can walk to the Arena," he said. "But traditionally it's a student and parent crowd."

The school and their athletic teams receive little help from local media, but that is expected. "You have the Bucks and two Division I (college) teams," Good added. "We're fourth on the list. But we're not about selling tickets and getting big crowds."

He does have high hopes for his team this season and hopes the new home can offer a boost and increase student support.

"With many returning players and a few new talented faces, we expect to have some good battles in practice just for playing time," Good says. "(The Arena) brings a lot of positive energy and shows that this program is moving in the right direction."

Laurie Brock has been head coach of the women's team since 1996. The Manitowoc native came to MSOE after playing basketball at UW-Milwaukee.

The men begin their season on Sat., Nov. 17 and play their first home game on the following Tuesday. The women tip off on Fri., Nov. 16. Their home opener is on Sat., Dec. 1.

For more information about MSOE and its 18 intercollegiate sports teams, visit www.msoe.edu.