Central Michigan University Athletics
Rose Rowdie Rally to Rock Rose on Wednesday
11/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 8, 2004
MOUNT PLEASANT - That familiar sea of gold -- that crowd of cheering, clapping, screaming, dedicated Chippewa basketball fans, known as the Rose Rowdies -- will be back in full force Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 9 p.m., for the eighth annual Rose Rowdie Rally.
The Rose Rowdie Rally, held in Rose Arena, provides students, faculty, staff and community members with an opportunity to get pumped up for the season and see their 2004-05 CMU Men's Basketball team in action. In addition to signing up to become a Rose Rowdie, the rally will also include performances from the CMU Varsity Cheerleaders and Chippettes; lay up musical chairs; addresses from head coach Jay Smith and players Tom Pantlind and Tony Bowne; and of course, the highly anticipated slam-dunk contest.
Appropriately named, the Rose Rowdie Rally offers students the opportunity to become a Rowdie and learn the unique strategy the Rowdies use so successfully to cheer on our players and unnerve opposing teams. This year the Rowdies are lead by 2003-04 Sixth Man/Rose Rowdie of the Year, Steve Schwanda.
"Being a Rose Rowdie is a lot of fun," said Schwanda, "It's a great way to get involved and make a difference for the basketball team and the university. As a Rowdie, we form relationships with the players and coaches - we become part of the team. We aren't cheering for them we are cheering with them!"
The Rose Rowdies began in 1997 with the arrival of head coach Jay Smith. "We started the Rose Rowdies from scratch eight years ago, and it has become one of the largest student organizations on campus and without question, the best sixth-man in the conference," said Smith. "The Rowdies are the envy of the other schools. They all want to know how we do it."
"As a player, there is nothing better than having the support of the Rowdies on your side," commented senior Tony Bowne. "We have the best fans in the conference - they can't be rivaled."
The CMU men's basketball season begins Sunday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. in Rose Arena where the team will face Northwood University in an exhibition game. The home season officially begins Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m., when the Chippewas take on 2004 NCAA Tournament qualifier Valparaiso.
