Maryville Pawprint Maryville Pawprint, Maryville University's Student Newspaper
With its growing enrollment and numerous planned campus expansions, Maryville University is becoming one of the fastest growing universities in the area. Beginning this fall, Maryville’s spirit committee has been working on plans to implement a university spirit campaign. Known as “RED ALERT”, the goal is to increase school spirit and pride.
Image Courtesy of Maryville University
“RED ALERT is a way to identify an athletic or spirit related event on campus,” said Georgia Prince, head cheer and dance coach at Maryville. “For instance, our initial intention is for people to wear the RED ALERT shirts on all days that we have a HOME game or contest.”
Starting with athletics, the campaign will help increase school pride and will eventually expand across all areas of campus.
“Our goal is to increase school spirit and pride and do a better job informing and including the overall campus in our efforts to become more enthusiastic about Maryville in general,” added Prince. “The obvious area to start seemed to be athletics and spirit related activities and events. We plan to broaden this platform as the spirit wave continues to catch on and grow around campus.”
The name, itself, “RED ALERT”, quickly grabs attention and is a great way for students to promote Maryville University spirit.
“It makes me think top priority, or breaking news,” said Jeffrey Hancock, a junior. “It kind of screams ‘Hey listen up we are on a RED ALERT, people!’”
The Comprehensive Spirit and Pride Committee helped create the “RED ALERT” campaign on campus. The committee meets several times a month to develop new and creative ways to promote Maryville spirit and involve students in campus events.
“I was named the new Spirit Coordinator of campus in July 2011,” said Prince. “Myself and Kelly Mock were named Chair and Co-Chair of the Comprehensive Spirit and Pride Comity on campus that is made up of about 15 members (students, faculty and staff combined) that brainstorm a few times a month about new and inventive ways we can increase spirit and interest to participate in such events throughout campus.”
“We are asking faculty, staff and students to participate in this campaign by simply wearing a RED ALERT t-shirt that will be provided to those who are interested in participating,” said Prince. “Currently, over 300 students have already signed up for the RED ALERT campaign.”
Stay tuned for upcoming RED ALERT games.
