Student pep squad lifts school spirit

“You! You! You! You! You!”

If you go to a GS&SU Men’s Basketball home game, that is what you are going to hear the most from a bunch of guys cheering on the front row behind the basket.

This cheering group, composed of about 15 students, started with the purpose of supporting the Bobcats and to have a good time.

“We began to cheer all together on the front row last year,” said sophomore Chris McCorkhill. “It is a good way to cheer for our Bobcats and get together with my friends.”

The group known as the “Thundercats” does not have a uniform yet but is growing quickly and gaining popularity among the crowd that supports the Bobcats at the Centennial Center at every home game. In the beginning the group was formed by men, but now women are starting to join the group as well.

“This is my first time cheering as part of the group,” said senior Meghan Scanlon, during the game against Armstrong Atlantic State University, on May 6. “I am excited; we are even painting everybody’s face and body.”

These fans do not stop cheering and yelling during the entire game. They are always jumping up and down, shouting and supporting the Bobcats constantly.

“We always provoke the opponent team,” said sophomore Nick Varn. “We make a lot of fun of them when they do a bad play, especially when they miss the free point shot.”

But their cheers against opponent teams are not pleasing all Bobcats supporters. Students have complained about the group, claiming they are disrespecting the rival coaches and players and embarrassing GC&SU’s basketball fans.

“I do not think it is that bad, but I think that there are other manners to show a good team spirit,” said freshmen Scott McRee. “Yelling ‘Go Bobcats’ or ‘defense’ could be enough.”

This entertaining and contradictory bunch of fans is calling the attention of fans at the Centennial Center every home game.

Sophomore Erick Siqueira said he enjoys watching the game, and it was also fun to observe the front row group and their cheers.

“They take it seriously,” Siqueira said.

To join the supportive group, students and faculty only need to come to a home game and go down to the front row seats.

The next basketball home game, with the cheering group on the front row, will be Saturday, Feb. 18 in the Centennial Center against North Georgia College & State University at 7:30 p.m.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 17 2006. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry