ROTC cadets compete in Western rivalry

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

Students, as well as several Mount Pleasant businesses, gathered for a pep rally to support the football team as it prepared leave for Western Michigan for the rivalry game Saturday.

The marching band played and 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 Bay City junior and cheerleader ran to the stage and was joined by Cadet Pvt. Jon Shaffer, a Mount Pleasant freshman exuberantly “volunteered” by his peers.

Central Michigan University ROTC Cadets start the first 6-mile leg of their 69-mile run to Ionia State Park for the annual Rivalry Run where ROTC cadets run the game ball for the Central Michigan University v. Western Michigan University football game from Mount Pleasant to Kalamazoo. Ionia State Park is the halfway point between both cities where the CMU ROTC cadets will hand the ball off to the WMU ROTC cadets as they complete the trip with the game ball ending in Kalamazoo. (Chris Bacarella/Staff Photographer)

As the push-up contest ensued, “Eye of the Tiger” was played over the speaker systems by 95.3 WCFX. 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, 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 said he had ROTC physical training that morning and had already put in several dozen push-ups.

Head coach Butch Jones later took the stage to thank those who came 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.

CMU beat Western 34-23 Saturday, its fourth consecutive win in the rivalry.

ROTC excitement

The ROTC stayed involved throughout the rivalry weekend.

Two cadets guarded 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.

Several ROTC cadets also ran the game ball on a 69-mile “Rivalry Run” to Ionia State Park, halfway between Mount Pleasant and Kalamazoo. The ball was handed off to WMU’s “Bronco Battalion.”

Cadet Cpl. Mike McNichol was in attendance Saturday at Waldo Stadium.

“It ended up being a good time,” the Madison Heights sophomore said.

He said it was a memorable experience to watch the ball he and his fellow cadets had run from Mount Pleasant be used during the game.

“It was a good kind of team-building for us,” he said.

Shaffer was unable to attend the game, but he did get together with several other ROTC students to watch the broadcast Saturday.

“I am ecstatic that we took the trophy back, it was definitely one of the highlights of the semester,” Shaffer said.