There was one very important person missing when thousands poured into
Kelly/Shorts Stadium Wednesday for Fire Up Fest.

Football coach Brian Kelly could not speak to the crowd of an
estimated 2,500 because of a scheduling conflict.

In his absence, fans enjoyed free food, drinks, T-shirts and
entertainment provided by the CMU Chippewa Marching Band. Kelly said
CMU can expect to see more of these events in the future. 

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Kelly said in an interview
with WCFX 95.3 FM after the event. “All we have to do is get ESPN
Gameday up here.”

Chicago freshman Shana Matheson came to get a taste of the college
football atmosphere.

“This was a lot of fun. I got to see the stadium for the first time
and the fans are crazy,” Matheson said. “I’ll definitely be here on
Friday night.”

The CMU Marching Chips got fans involved early and often before they
got to hear Defensive Coordinator Robert Diaco and Athletic Director
Herb Deromedi speak.

“In all my years at Iowa, I’ve never seen a turnout for an event
like this, so this is really something,” Diaco said.

Deromedi reminisced about the upsets CMU pulled on the Michigan
State Spartans in 1991 and 1992 and predicted that CMU would once again
come out on top against a Big Ten team.

“We want to show the Big Ten the enthusiasm that CMU can bring to
the table and show them what MAC football is all about,” Deromedi said.

Troy sophomore William Lawrence came to show his support for CMU
football and get out on a Wednesday night.

“This was really nice, you get a chance to meet new people and hear
what coaches have to say about the team — and of course you get a free
T-shirt,” Lawrence said.

A Best Pizza in Mount Pleasant contest took place during the event
and a pizza from The Malt Shop Cafe Pizza & Games won, with Dominos
being second and Papa Johns taking third.

Junior linebacker Thomas Keith also came out and thanked all the
fans for their support and reminded everybody to be safe for tonight’s
game.

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