DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University senior Francesca Testa knows that nothing spurs a team on to victory like a lively crowd of fans.

As president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, a position she’s held since her freshman year, Testa came up with an idea designed to guarantee success at the university’s games — Superfan.

Each of 12 teams that play throughout the year has one designated game per season that is dedicated to Superfan. Fans are given Superfan T-shirts to wear during the games and are encouraged to cheer loudly and often. The three most enthusiastic Superfans are rewarded with a gift certificate to the university bookstore. A star on the university swim team, Testa said the Superfan games have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic.

The idea, she said, was a product of her involvement with the university’s Hancock Student Leadership Program. “I’ve been looking for a way to market our athletics and promote school spirit among students and faculty, too,” Testa said.

And so far, her idea has been a success with more than 50 percent of the WestConn crowd wearing Superfan T-shirts and cheering loudly. Testa also has been trying to get faculty involved. Each student athlete is given an invitation to be handed to a faculty member encouraging them to come to the game and bring their families

Testa, who will graduate from WestConn in May 2010, said that she is working with the Hancock program to pass the Superfan torch after she leaves. “I don’t want to leave it unless someone takes it over,” she said.

For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486 or visit www.wcsu.edu/superfan.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.