Grand Canyon student fans known as Havocs are gaining fans of their own

PHOENIX – Blaring dubstep beats and electronic music build like a massive wave, students dropping lower and lower as Lil John shouts, "Higher! Higher!"

They hold position as the chorus of "We hit turbulence!" rings out, then spring into the air as if propelled by the bass drop. The beat shifts dramatically and they start bouncing in sync, arms waving, streamers flying.

Welcome to college basketball's biggest dance party, hosted by Grand Canyon's Havocs, who are quickly making a name for themselves as one of the nation's best student sections.

"You've got something special here, really special," Louisville coach Rick Pitino said after experiencing the Havoc of GCU Arena on Dec. 3. "Whether we go to Duke, Kentucky, nothing was as tough as that environment tonight."

Once on the verge of bankruptcy, Grand Canyon turned to a for-profit model in 2004 and later decided to make men's college basketball a cornerstone for its future.

The private school made a big splash by hiring former Phoenix Suns player Dan Majerle as coach, and he has pushed the program to new heights each season as it heads toward full Division I status next year.

The Havocs have risen with it.

It started slowly and then spread, to a few hundred the second season, over 1,000 last season and into full mayhem this year, more than 2,000 face-painted, costume-wearing Havocs dancing and shouting at every game.

"It's really has transcended into this culture on campus," said Brandon Kaiser, one of the original Havoc leaders. "It's become bigger than just basketball and that was one of our goals, to create a community."

A growing national identity has come with it.

Nearly every coach who visits GCU Arena marvels at the pregame buildup, the decibels that rival a Metallica concert.

Pitino had a hard time calling plays in the huddle, and San Diego State coach Steve Fisher had to ask for a timeout three times before the official heard him during a game last week.

College basketball has its share of loud arenas: Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium, Allen Fieldhouse in Kansas, Syracuse's Carrier Dome, the Pit in New Mexico.

None has the rave-like feel of GCU Arena when the Havocs are in full effect.

The Havocs prepare for the show with a pregame party on the lawn outside GCU Arena, then go into full party mode once in the arena.

Vengaboys' "We Like to Party!" and MAKJ"s "Springen" and DHT's "Listen to Your Heart" are always on the play list.