New Centennial Center banners promote school spirit

Two new banners shout Bobcat pride to those who walk into the Centennial Center.

Hanging on opposing walls are two 88-by-15-feet banners. The banners feature Thunder the Bobcat and read “Georgia College” and “Bobcats” respectively.

The total cost of the project was $6,000 with the Student Government Association and the Student Activity Budget Committee funding $3,000. The additional money was provided by OAI, a Florida graphics company.

“(The banners are) probably one of the best looking things on campus right now; I didn’t know how badly it was needed until they were up, and they look awesome,” said Sports Information Director Al Weston. “Now when you walk in the doors you can see that we have one of the best athletics facilitates in the Southeast.”

According to Patrick Gamble, president of the Thunder Crew, the project was spearheaded by the student group. However, not all students were in support of the banners.

“It’s kind of ridiculous to spend that much money on a banner,” said freshman undeclared major Morgan Mahaffey.

Sarah Beth Ariemma | gcsunade.com

One of the banners placed in the Centennial Center. One reads “Bobcats,” and one reads “Georgia College.”

The idea of the banners was proposed in order to cover unused bleachers in the Centennial Center. These brown bleachers reminded Gamble of the Colonials, GCSU’s former mascot.

“We are not the Colonials anymore,” Gamble said. “We are Bobcat Nation.”

The overall objective is for the banners to promote Bobcat spirit. Gamble anticipates that the Centennial Center will now symbolize a home for GCSU players and fans.

“I have already had players tell me that they are more comfortable in the Center with the banners,” Gamble said.

Gamble was disappointed when the banners, which were originally planned to be installed for Midnight Madness on Oct. 14, were not completed in time.

Instead, the banners were hung by GCSU Physical Plant the morning of Oct. 20, in time for Greek Night.

The first public, school-wide event that will be hosted in the Centennial Center since the addition of the banners will be GCSU’s first home basketball game Nov. 17.

More banners are currently being ordered for the student cheering section.

“The Centennial Center felt like this building that was displaced from main campus,” Gamble said. “It is my hope that the addition of the Bobcat banners will change that.”

Posted by Amanda Brodzik on Nov 5 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.