Written by Emma Field // Photo by Macy Cox
The Code Black hype rally on Sept. 6 was the first pep rally at Harding University to incorporate athletes from a variety of teams. The inclusion of over 450 athletes from men’s and women’s sports brought together a diverse crowd.
At Rhodes-Reaves Field House, cheerleaders and football players funneled guests into the gymnasium. Individuals were given raffle tickets for an opportunity later in the event. As students poured in, the energy from the cheer team and the Thundering Herd Marching Band set the tone for the night.
Assistant Dean of Campus Life Logan Light emceed Code Black. When Light called the players onto the court, they shared the spotlight and threw prizes to the cheering fans.
Campus Life had an array of events in store. First, students were picked from the crowd to participate in a tricycle race. Contestants were partnered with football players to attempt to be the first group down and back on the court.
Sophomore Andrew Reneau was one of the race contestants. He said he was surprised to be selected from the crowd. Three other students were called down as possible contenders, but in a battle of rock-paper-scissors, Reneau won.
“Before I knew that it was a tricycle race, I thought that I would have to push my partner around in the trash can,” Reneau said. “During the first part, I thought about how big Diego was compared to the tricycle. He looked like a crab crawling down the field.”
Reneau said he was disappointed that the tricycle’s handlebars broke and they did not win the race. Reneau said he looks forward to next year’s Code Black event.
In the next event, the stadium was divided into two sides: black team and gold team. Football players split into groups to represent their respective teams. They sat down in a line on the court and tried to pass the football down. The quickest team to pass the ball from one end of the line to the other was the winner. However, participants could only pass the ball using their feet.
The gold team won, and students were given vouchers for Sonic Drive-In.
The scholarship toss was the final event of the evening. This is where the raffle ticket came in. The winner had the opportunity to win up to $6,000 in scholarship funds. The students tossed miniature footballs into containers. Each successful toss was rewarded with $500. Director of Campus Life Jane Chandler let three students participate.
President Mike Williams decided to join in on the fun. He ran around the court with the miniature footballs and aided in successfully throwing them into containers.
As the night came to a close, the sound booth played “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston. The students and athletes joined together and turned the basketball court into a dance floor.
This year’s Code Black event was one of the best in Harding’s history, Director of Athletics Jeff Morgan said. There is a strong connection between what goes on in the stands and on the fields and courts. Morgan said he admires the relationship among the student body.
“I want people to know that the energy they bring definitely has an impact,” Morgan said. “It’s like hitting a refueling station when you have that energy from the people at the games. We are very humbled when we run out to a packed stadium, field or track. We work hard to represent Harding in a great way, and we need your help as we pursue a really fun and supportive game day.”
Morgan said fans are an important part of the game day experience.
“It’s a cool turn around,” Morgan said. “You play on Saturday night. You go to chapel on Monday. You’re sitting next to all these people, it builds those relationships and makes it even better come game day. Students are a huge part of the team. It’s not, ‘Okay, here’s the team, and then here’s the fans.’”
Tennis player Réka Pécsi has over 15 years of experience in her sport. She echoes this sentiment and said she is thankful for the support of her fellow students.
“My favorite part of pep rallies is the fact that people who don’t even know each other come to cheer with the biggest enthusiasm,” Pécsi said. “The vibe, the support and the shouting from people around us is absolutely incredible. It’s hard to describe in words, but I’m definitely so thankful for everyone who makes us feel valued as professionals.”
