By Devin Smith

College basketball season is right around the corner, and on Saturday fans got a chance to meet the men and women who will suit up for the Troy Trojans this season during fan day.

The teams were positioned in the center of Tailgate Terrace before Saturday’s football game against Appalachian State to sign posters for the upcoming season.

Men’s basketball head coach Phil Cunningham thought fan day was something that players and fans all enjoyed equally.

“I think they’re excited,” Cunningham said of the players on Saturday.  “Anytime an athlete gets a chance to interact with the fans there is some excitement, it’s a wonderful opportunity. You can see that people are excited and it has been a very good day.”

Women’s basketball head coach Chanda Rigby shares that same sentiment with Cunningham, especially given that the only contact players have with the fans is usually on the court.

“It was fun to see our fans and players interact away from the basketball court,” Rigby said. “We normally see them at game time when they are focused on the task at hand: winning.”

Rigby appreciates the opportunity for her and her players to share some personal time with fans and give back to those that support them.

“We were able to share autographs, smiles, and hugs, and just to say thank you to our wonderful Trojan supporters.”

This was the first time that fan day was held in the midst of football’s pre-game festivities, which Cunningham feels is a great decision.

“I’ve got to give a lot of credit to the marketing department,” he said. “They made a terrific decision to move fan day in conjunction with the pre-game for football. There are so many more people out here and it gives our guys a chance to interact with a wide variety of fans and students.”

Both teams will get their first taste of action on Nov. 6 with an exhibition game at Trojan Arena. A week after, on Nov. 14, the regular season will begin for both squads.

The women’s team will open the season on the road against the Auburn Tigers, but the men will stay at home to face the Brewton-Parker Barons.