Watching the New Orleans Hornets dunk team, the French Quarter Flyers, perform during halftime at the men and women’s basketball games against Spring Hill got me thinking: I think I can count the number of times I have seen the ‘Pack dunk during games on one hand.

Now, I understand that two points are two points, but dunking carries more than just two points. It brings excitement to the dunker, teammates and the crowd in attendance.

It’s no secret that crowds go nuts when they see athletes dunk. This will bring the very important ‘sixth man’ for Loyola: the fans in the stands. I also believe that the athletes might have fun doing it. Not to mention, it will be fun seeing the crowd go nuts when they see an alley-oop or even a regular two handed dunk.

The first time I witnessed a dunk at a Loyola game was an alley-oop to Darrington Moncrieffe. Needless to say, after that amazing play, the crowd and players went into a frenzy. So come on guys, let’s see more of that.

Dunking could be especially useful in tight games, and the Jan. 28 game against Spring Hill proved to be just that: they won by the skin of their teeth, 71-68. So while a win is a win, the margin could have been greater. At different points throughout the game, players opted for lay-ups, rather than dunks, missing some of them.

Head coach Michael Giorlando told me the offense isn’t set for dunking, so that explains a lot. However, he added that if they go on a fast break, he doesn’t stop them from going for the slam-dunk. Yet, for some reason, they opt to go for the less insured lay up.

Who knows, if Loyola starts dunking, they might start getting more people at the games. Word of mouth is a very powerful thing. I can already see it: “Oh my gosh, Loyola is dunking now, we’ve got to go see ’em.”

Even athletes from other sports agree they would like to see dunking at the games. They know better than anyone how important it is to get the crowd into a game.

But for those who don’t see why I’m so adamant about wanting to see dunking at Loyola basketball games, I’ll tell you.

Baseball has the home run. Volleyball has the kill. Basketball has the dunk. It’s that simple, and right now we’re missing out on something that is doable whenever one chooses, much like the kill in volleyball. Baseball has it much tougher, since one can’t choose when to hit a home run.

I’m not asking for a change in the game plan or strategy, all I’m saying is try to fit dunking as much as possible within the current game plan. What’s the worst that could happen, that we get two points and that the crowd goes wild? I think I could live with that.

Eduardo Gonzalez can be reached at [email protected]