Spirit Squad Fires Up Student Fan Base

New group for athletic supporters introducedVictoria YuTHE SANTA CLARAOctober 24, 2013Brand new to Santa Clara this year is the SCU Spirit Squad, a co-ed group devoted to bringing the Bronco sports fanbase to men’s and women’s basketball games. Head coach of the squad, Lauren Giangregorio, co-founded the organization in hopes of providing all students the chance to become more involved in cheering on the Santa Clara basketball teams and raising the crowd’s energy at games. Although the Spirit Squad currently plans on only attending basketball games, Giangregorio envisions the squad eventually  becoming a completely student-run organization that attends all Bronco sporting events.What distinguishes the Spirit Squad from other sport-supporting fan groups is the freedom students have to explore new ideas and become personally involved in implementing novel ways of raising excitement, both at games and even on non-game days. The Spirit Squad is a place for students’ enthusiastic voices to be heard and a place that welcomes suggestions from all of those involved. As a member, students can initiate all sorts of fun activities. From leading cheers and chants to organizing pep rallies before games, and even planning spontaneous flash mobs around campus, the Spirit Squad is dedicated to increasing crowd participation and promoting Bronco spirit. Students who join the squad will also have the chance to deck out in face paint, wear Santa Clara gear, make large signs and work with both the Pep Band and Dance Team. In addition, members of the squad will have opportunities to create new promotions during timeouts and perform skits at halftime with Bucky the Bronco. The squad will also engage with other students and Santa Clara sports fans by starting waves and distributing T-shirts throughout the crowd. Joining the Spirit Squad requires no membership fee, and new members will also receive free Santa Clara gear, including megaphones, cups, cozies and more. The Spirit Squad is the perfect group for students who enjoy attending basketball games, feel passionate about promoting Bronco spirit and have a desire to bring the school together as a supportive community. The Spirit Squad will be making its first appearance at the Santa Clara women’s basketball game on Nov. 1 against Sonoma State University. A group of roughly 35 students has already expressed interest in the spirit group, and the squad is still open for anyone to join — no cheer background is necessary. The squad meets on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on the second floor of the Leavey Center in the conference room. Students looking to join the Spirit Squad can contact Giangregorio for more information. In the words of Giangregorio herself, the Spirit Squad is a great community for anyone desiring to express their “raw, fan-spirit love” for Santa Clara.  Contact Victoria Yu at vsyu@scu.edu.