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Students get ‘rowdy’ at rally

By Aaron Monteabaro
amonteab@mscd.edu

On Feb. 21, a pep rally outside the Tivoli encouraged Roadrunner pride for the next day’s homecoming games.

People gathered for karaoke backed by Rowdy and some words of encouragement and team introductions by the men’s and women’s basketball coaches. There were free T-shirts and food.

Despite a chill in the air, Metro colors were visible under the coats of cheering supporters. Rowdy made rounds in the crowd, pushing for increased student enthusiasm at the upcoming games. Metro school spirit was in full display during the event.

Several people were planning to go to the game. Lidia Alvarez, program coordinator for diversity at Metro, said she’d be there stomping, clapping and whistling. “I’ll be there wearing my T-shirt,” she said.

Metro student Kait Aranda said that considering this is commuter campus, there was a good display of student pride, adding she sees a lot of people wearing their gear and supporting their teams at the games.

On Feb. 22, the homecoming basketball games against the Colorado School of Mines ended with the Roadrunners winning 66 – 64 for the men’s team, and 66 – 46 for the women’s team. Many students and faculty members at Metro said school spirit is on the rise despite the nontraditional campus organization.

Metro President Stephen Jordan said the student body wants more traditional campus activities. He said the school would continue building on that desire with events such as the rally.

Women’s assistant coach Holly Houchin said Metro has a big fan base around town, but it isn’t as easy to rally support as it would be on a traditional campus where students tend to be younger and to live and work on or near the campus. She also said the school is unique in that a lot of students transfer here from other area colleges or come to Metro after returning to the Denver area from other cities. However, there is a lot of support from the surrounding community, students and Metro alumni, she said.

Marc Roberson, a recent graduate, said he didn’t remember having any events like this when he started at Metro. “I think they’ve made a good effort the last couple of years to step it up,” Roberson said.

The president’s office, the athletics department, alumni relations, the office of college communications and the student activities department sponsored the rally.