Thunder Crew plans events for fall sports

Thunder Crew, the school spirit section which was created four years ago, has many activities planned for all sporting events.

The group that has received the Bobcat New Program of the Year award for the past two years and has been nominated for the best student spirit section in Division II is in charge of organizing tailgates before select athletic events. At GC, Thunder Crew generally provides free food at tailgates. Alcohol consumption is also allowed by those over 21 and is permitted three hours before specified events.

Every home basketball game will have a tailgating party with free food before the action starts. There will be six to seven tailgating events for baseball and five have been planned for soccer. Select softball games will now have tailgates as well.

On average, 300 people attend the tailgates, according to Thunder Crew President Tyler Kemp.

Some events already have themes.

There is going to be a White Out, a Green Out and a Pink Out for women’s soccer throughout the Fall. At these games attendees are asked to wear shirts reflecting the color listed for the event.

The first White Out will be on Sept.12, when the Bobcats face Anderson at 7 p.m. at the field on West Campus. The first 300 people who arrive will receive a free T-shirt.

“At the White Out game, Thunder Crew hopes to set a new attendance record for soccer games,” Kemp said. “Our goal is to get over 500 people to come out.”

The Green Out event is set for Sept. 19, when the women’s soccer team plays Lander at 7 p.m.

The Kick for the Cure, or Pink Out, game supporting breast cancer awareness will be on Oct.18 when the women play Newberry at 6 p.m.

There will be a corn-hole tournament at the women’s soccer game on Oct. 6 hosted by Thunder Crew, where GC plays UNC Pembroke at 3 p.m. On Senior Night, Oct. 27, there will also be a tailgate.

Tailgating isn’t the only place Thunder Crew draws a crowd. The Crew increases attendance at games and matches by about 30 percent, according to Kemp.

“Thunder Crew plays a very important job in raising school spirit,” senior economics major TJ Cornay said. “In my four years here, I’ve seen a steady increase in school spirit.”

Thunder Crew member and junior mass communication major Mark Moughamian says Bobcat Madness, which is on Oct. 17, is a chance for students to get excited for basketball season.

“Bobcat Madness is really a chance for the school to have its first big pep rally of the year and not only meet and pump up the basketball team, but to pump up each other,” Moughamian said.

Thunder Crew meetings are every Monday at 8:30 p.m. in Centennial Center 104. Kemp is available after the meetings to offer more information.