Central Michigan football fans send team off to Western Michigan with pep rally
"Sink that boat! Sink that boat!"
That was the chant head coach John Bonamego led as fans of the Central Michigan University football team sent the Chippewas off to Kalamazoo with a maroon and gold-clad pep rally Friday outside Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Bonamego and the Chippewas face rival Western Michigan University and coach PJ Fleck at noon on Saturday.
Since his arrival at WMU three seasons ago, Fleck has urged Broncos fans to "Row the Boat,"— his description of how Broncos' fans can show support for the previously Mid-American Conference bottom-feeding program.
Friday's showcase in Mount Pleasant was a display of Chippewa pride, which the CMU players say has increased around campus since Bonamego, a CMU alumnus, was hired.
"It's great to finally have people behind us," said senior center Nick Beamish. "Having these people here really gets us going. We want to do well for these fans and everyone that cares so much about how this team does."
T-shirts were passed out to the crowd of approximately 70 people by The CMU Athletics marketing staff as fans created cardboard signs with phrases about the team, WMU and Bonamego written on.
"Bonamego is more welcoming to students than (previous coach Dan) Enos ever was," said CMU junior Nicholas Gemberski. "He embraces us. During the first game (against Oklahoma State) he even turned around (to the student section) and tried to pump us up. He interacts with us."
Bonamego's outgoing and inclusive tendencies makes CMU's marketing and promotions initiatives seamless, said Assistant Director of Marketing Pete Maniez.
"Coach Bono is so awesome with our fan base. He makes our jobs a lot easier," Maniez said. "The biggest thing is how passionate he is for our school. This is a great way to send our team off to Western."
Miranda Risak is a freshman at CMU this year and is dating Chippewa football player Matt Krause. Risak said supporting her school's team is something she would do regardless of her relationship.
"I was never really into football, but now I am," Risak said. "Our student section is always empty by halftime. Bono doesn't like that. Football is well known. If I was a football player, I would want to see my fans out there."
Just before boarding the bus to Kalamazoo, Bonamego told fans to be safe as they drive to Southwest Michigan and to plan on singing the fight song again after beating the Broncos on their home field.
For the Chippewas, the goal is to return to CMU with one extra piece of luggage onboard: The Victory Cannon Trophy.
