No one wears maroon and gold louder than the Rose Rowdies.
Since 1996, this group of enthusiastic basketball fans have brought recognition not only to the men’s basketball team, but to CMU as well.
Clad in a sea of gold, the Rowdies root for the Chippewas near the east basket and most members are within feet of the court and players because they say they like being close to the action and right on the court.
Kerstan Ryan, Tecumseh junior, said she supports the basketball team as part of the Rowdies because it’s another way to get involved with the team.
“We make it one of the toughest places to play. We try and get the rest of the arena involved,” she said.
Demond Pryor, Flint junior, said CMU opponents’ experience of Rose Arena is unlike anything elsewhere.
“When you come into the pit you know you’re in trouble,” Pryor said.
And each year the group becomes rowdier and rowdier.
Gary Friedman, associate athletics director said he expects around 500 people to be involved this year.
Friedman said there is a meeting at 6 p.m. today in Rose Arena for those who are interested in joining. At the meeting information and shirts will be given out, along with an opportunity to meet the players and coaches. Availability of space and shirts is on a first-come, first-served basis, he said.
“We don’t want it to be a shirt club,” Friedman said. “We want students to feel a sense of pride. It’s a privilege to call yourself a Rose Rowdie,” he said.
GTE distributes the gold shirts that have become the trademark for the Rose Rowdies at no cost to its members, Friedman said.
For fans like Ryan Knapp, Sterling Heights senior, and Paul Pavlica, Temperance senior, being a Rose Rowdy is more than just coming to the game and cheering.
It’s like being part of the basketball team itself.
“They get into the heads of the other players,” said Luke Johnson, Gaylord junior and men’s basketball guard.
“They’re our sixth man and like the number one player off of the bench,” Johnson said.
Ryan, Pryor, Knapp and Pavlica are among those who have been with the Rose Rowdies from the beginning and have seen it take shape and evolve.
Several Rose Rowdies gave credit to Head Coach Jay Smith’s recognition of the group as people and not just fans.
“We get lots of praise from Jay Smith. He really appreciates what we are doing,” Pavlica said.
“Coach Smith realized that he needed to do something and that the fans are important,” Knapp said. “We are part of his program.
“It’s a great advantage to be down there to get in the refs’ and opponents’ ears,” Knapp said.
“Sometimes we can get the refs to change their calls,” Pryor said. “We can take the opposing team right out of the game.”
Smith is in his third year at CMU and the expectations are high for the team.
“It’s so important to have your crowd behind you,” Smith said. “They can be your sixth man out there.
“When teams come into the Rose Arena they have to be ready both physically and mentally,” Smith said.
“I couldn’t imagine playing for another team and having to come in here,” said Farmington Hills sophomore guard David Webber.
The players also credit the Rose Rowdies for picking them up and giving them a boost when they need it.
“When something goes wrong, they’re there to help you out,” said Hopkins junior guard Tim Kisner. “This is the best place to play in the conference.”
Mid-American Conference Commissioner Rick Chryst said he has even noticed the growing support of the student body.
CMU will have 13 men’s basketball games televised next season. At the time the television schedule was announced, Chryst said in CM LIFE, “We know Rose Arena is one of the top venues in the MAC to televise from because of the enthusiastic fans and the electricity in the arena.”

E-mail the author: Paul P. AdamsLIFE Sports Writer