Get rowdy, Chargers.
Hillsdale College is to hold its first pep rally Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. in Hayden Park.
The college hopes to energize students before the first home football game with a bonfire, featuring sand volleyball, the pep band, and pizza for all to enjoy.
“I think if we start off on a high-spirited note, more people will show up to the game,” Director of the Student Activities Board Amanda Bigney said.
Although Bigney handled administrative duties, inspiration came directly from the students. SAB organized entertainment from the pep band and cheerleading squad and involved sports teams’ captains in order to rally the school and introduce freshmen to something in which Hillsdale takes particular pride in: a tight-knit community.
“At D1 schools people love going to the games, but they don’t know the players. Here you’re going to support your friends,” said senior Haley Johnson, student director of SAB.
Troop 1844, a new student spirit group led by senior offensive lineman Nick Landry, will also be there to energize the students. Landry hopes to focus on “not just football, but all sports.”
Small division II schools like Hillsdale often find it hard to rally large crowds for sporting events, but hopefully, at all future games, the cheerleaders won’t be the only ones cheering.
