Support CMU football
After more than eight months, the two-time Mid-American Conference Champion CMU football team finally will take the field at 7 p.m. Thursday against Eastern Illinois.
We already know some of the things that will happen. The marching band will play. The jumbotron will light up. The football team will run out of the inflatable helmet toward the student section.
And, unfortunately, half of the tailgating crowd will stay outside and eventually head home instead of going to Kelly/Shorts Stadium to watch and support the team.
After what we've seen the last two seasons, it doesn't make much sense to miss Thursday's game - or any home games, for that matter.
The football team is chasing the conference's fourth three-peat in its history. Quarterback Dan LeFevour is on his way to becoming one of the most decorated CMU athletes. Sophomore Antonio Brown is dazzling to watch as a kick returner and as a wide receiver.
Those are just three of the good reasons not to miss the game. Need another reason? The next home game isn't until Sept. 27 against Buffalo.
OK, so the game is against Eastern Illinois of the Football Championship Subdivision. But if you remember last season's 44-14 loss at home to North Dakota State, you know that FCS teams can put up a challenge.
The team could use the extra support. Nick Williams, associate athletic director of marketing and sales, said the department is eyeing for 25,000 fans per home game. That is not out of the realm of possibility.
In fact, with two consecutive conference championships and many predicting a third, there's very little reason to think it's not possible.
If you haven't attended a game yet and you're in the Mount Pleasant area, do so. Give the team some support and help fill Kelly/Shorts.
You may get more out of the experience than you ever thought you would.
