'Chippewa March' through campus involves 200 students
The rain did not stop one parade Saturday.
About 225 students marched through campus as a part of the “Chippewa March” to Kelly/Shorts Stadium to attend Saturday’s game.
Though the turnout was lower than what was expected, Jordan Maddux, an organizer of the event, said that the number of students was not important.
“It doesn’t matter how many people are there, just how much noise we can make through campus,” the Monroe junior said.
Dressed in maroon and gold, students gathered at the university seal in Central Michigan University’s Warriner Mall Saturday.
Maddux and Blake Buzard, the event’s other organizer, made sure it was clear to those attending, the march was not a protest to tailgate.
“We’re not against tailgate and this is not an alternative to tailgate,” said Buzard, an Illinois junior. “If it gets large enough, we can push it back an hour and march to tailgate.”
Though Maddux and Buzard didn’t want to replace tailgate, but the new rules are what attracted many students to the march.
“It hasn’t been fun since the new tailgating rules,” said Charles Harteg, a Whitmore Lake junior. “It seemed like the thing to do — a great way to get ready for the game and have fun.”
New rules have included a six-beer limitation or one pint when entering, no glass, no external sound systems, as well as no animals. Lot 63 has seen a decrease in attendance the last two home football games with tailgaters.
Other students participating in the march said with people tailgating on Main Street and in Lot 63, there has been a notable separation in school spirit. Troy junior Kristen Walter said the Chippewa March brought students together.
“People used to have fun and were so unified at tailgate, this march sort of brings everyone back together,” she said.
Maddux and Buzzard had support from the Central Michigan University Police Department as well.
Once the march made it to Broomfield Road, police cars blocked traffic until everyone made it safely across the street.
The march ended just outside Kelly/Shorts Stadium where the group met up with the Marching Chips playing CMU’s Fight Song.
For a first time, Maddux said he was happy the march went well and that people had fun.
“There were no problems, everyone was well-behaved through campus and seemed to have had fun – even the alumni watching seemed to enjoy it,” Maddux said.
They said the group plans on marching again but isn’t sure whether they will be marching for homecoming because of the parade.
