The VIU Nation is ready to turn up the volume at the university’s gym.

The Nation, Vancouver Island University’s group of boisterous sports boosters, is preparing to once again throw its support behind Mariners court teams. The fan club is currently holding a membership drive leading up to the start of the B.C. Colleges’ Athletic Association volleyball and basketball seasons in two weeks’ time.

Mike Stefan, VIU athletics events coordinator, said there is extra excitement this fall because all four Mariners’ court teams are expected to be so competitive.

Students can share in the victories by joining the Nation, wearing blue to games and making their voices heard.

“We want to create an environment and a social outing for the students and continue the school and community spirit,” Stefan said.

The VIU Nation – formerly the MalU Nation – is counted on most for rivalry games against Victoria’s Camosun College. Each year the athletic departments at both schools track final scores and attendance figures at those games and calculate a winner of the Island Rivalry series.

VIU invariably gets the better of the rivalry games and Stefan said he thinks crowd noise at the gym is a factor.

“[Players] really enjoy it; they feed off the atmosphere,” he said. “Other coaches actually prepare for our fans. That’s something that they know they’re going to have to deal with.”

Cost to officially join the VIU Nation is $5 for the year, and students can find out more information by calling Stefan at 250-740-6407.

Or they can just come out to any Mariners home game, all season long.

“That’s the best way to be part of it,” Stefan said.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com