Rally pumps fans for Western rivalry game

• Tweet
• 

Free submarine sandwiches, loud music, and Central Michigan University spirit were all in ample supply Friday afternoon in front of the Bovee University Center.

Students from all across CMU as well as several Mount Pleasant businesses gathered the Bovee University Center for a pep rally to support the Chippewa football team as it prepared to head out to Western Michigan University’s Waldo Stadium for the rivalry game on Saturday.

The scene was full of spirit as the marching band played as the cheer and dance teams performed.

At one point a call for a push-up contest between an ROTC cadet and cheer squad member was put out.

Tyler Thibo, a junior and cheerleader from Bay City ran to the stage and was joined by Cadet Pvt. Jon Shaffer, a freshman from Mount Pleasant who was exuberantly “volunteered” by his peers.

As the push-up contest ensues the  “Eye of the Tiger” was played  over their speaker systems by 95.3 WCFX as the challenge wore on. Eventually Thibo emerged victorious with 100 push-ups to Shaffer’s 94.

“It was intense, I just wasn’t going to let myself lose. I thought he was going to get me,” Thibo said.

While Shaffer was somewhat disappointed at his loss he still enjoyed participating.

“It was fun, (but) I feel like I could have done better. I was already a little tired.” Shaffer said.

He had had ROTC physical training that morning and had already put in several dozen push-ups.

Another diversion at the event was an impressive performance came from Livonia junior Ryan O’Neill, a marching band tenor saxophonist, and part-time Elvis Presley impersonator.

O’Neill got up on stage to sing along to “Jailhouse Rock,” complete with the King’s signature hip gyrations. He was rewarded with a Chippewa t-shirt for his well received number.

“I’ve been doing that for approximately eight years,” he said.

While O’Neill enjoys all of Elvis’ music, he specializes in his 1968 Comeback Special.

Football excitement

Head Coach Butch Jones later took the stage to thank those who had come out for the team.

“We’re looking forward to supporting everyone who bleeds maroon and gold. We’re going to go down there and rent Waldo stadium for four hours,” Jones said.

Jones then invited Senior Quarterback Dan LeFevour to speak to the crowd.

“We appreciate all the support we’ve had so far this season,” LeFevour said.

The two ROTC cadets guarding the “Victory Cannon,” a trophy created jointly by CMU and WMU to be awarded to the victor of the rivalry game, presented the trophy to the football team who then began to load into their buses.

Meanwhile, several ROTC cadets departed with the game ball on the first 6 mile leg of the ROTC’s 69 mile “Rivalry Run” to Ionia State Park halfway between Mount Pleasant and Kalamazoo, where they will hand over the ball to WMU’s “Bronco Battalion.”