SGA's Colonel Challenge to reward displays of school spirit
Breck Norment
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: News
Go to a Colonels' basketball game and you can't help but see it: dozens of Eastern students, covered head-to-toe in war paint, screaming at the top of their lungs in support of their beloved team.
To some, this image conjures thoughts of fanatical devotion, or college craziness.
But beginning this year, the sight may be associated with a new word: philanthropy.
The Colonel Spirit Challenge is underway for all registered student organizations across campus.
The Spirit Challenge is an effort by several school departments to get people out to support the men and women's basketball teams, said Alban Holyoke, the student government association chief of staff.
The winner will be decided by a points system, Holyoke said.
Organizations will receive points for their attendance record, but will also be subjectively judged on their outfits and presence in the crowd, Holyoke said.
The points are compiled at the end of the basketball season.
Students discussed their strategies for winning the grand prize.
"You've got to be a force to be reckoned with," said 21-year-old Sigma Nu member Alex Combs, a political science and philosophy major from Eaton, Ohio.
Heckling the other team is great because presence is more important than appearance, Combs added.
In the past, students have worn maroon wigs and other bizarre hairstyles, painted their bodies maroon and spray painted their hair, Holyoke said.
"For a football game last season, I painted half my body maroon; that's within the rules," Holyoke added.
He said students should use good judgment with their attire, though.
While nudity is definitely too far, partial nudity is OK, he said.
"Partial nudity is acceptable as long as it's tasteful," Holyoke said.
Holyoke said students should root for the Colonels while being respectful of the other team.
Anything that supports Eastern without degrading the other team is sought after, he said.
To some, this image conjures thoughts of fanatical devotion, or college craziness.
But beginning this year, the sight may be associated with a new word: philanthropy.
The Colonel Spirit Challenge is underway for all registered student organizations across campus.
The Spirit Challenge is an effort by several school departments to get people out to support the men and women's basketball teams, said Alban Holyoke, the student government association chief of staff.
The winner will be decided by a points system, Holyoke said.
Organizations will receive points for their attendance record, but will also be subjectively judged on their outfits and presence in the crowd, Holyoke said.
The points are compiled at the end of the basketball season.
Students discussed their strategies for winning the grand prize.
"You've got to be a force to be reckoned with," said 21-year-old Sigma Nu member Alex Combs, a political science and philosophy major from Eaton, Ohio.
Heckling the other team is great because presence is more important than appearance, Combs added.
In the past, students have worn maroon wigs and other bizarre hairstyles, painted their bodies maroon and spray painted their hair, Holyoke said.
"For a football game last season, I painted half my body maroon; that's within the rules," Holyoke added.
He said students should use good judgment with their attire, though.
While nudity is definitely too far, partial nudity is OK, he said.
"Partial nudity is acceptable as long as it's tasteful," Holyoke said.
Holyoke said students should root for the Colonels while being respectful of the other team.
Anything that supports Eastern without degrading the other team is sought after, he said.
