Last basketball season, Harding’s Rhodes Field House won the well-publicized honor of being named Enterprise’s “Best Road Trip Destination in College Basketball.” Tuesday night, the Rhodes Rowdies gathered together to prepare for this season. They look to show their opponents just what makes a trip to the Rhodes Field House so unique.
Tuesday night’s Rowdie Runthrough was a chant practice for the Rhodes Rowdies. The leaders of the popular cheering section led the crowd in a number of well-known chants such as “left, right, left,” which is chanted following an opposing player fouling out of a game. However, beyond the chants and cheers, there were a number of different giveaways for those in attendance. The Harding coaches also spoke to the crowd.
One of the giveaways of the evening was given to the first 500 students through the door. Tickets were handed out to each student and could be turned in for gold T-shirts to be worn during Thursday night’s home opener. The night was deemed “Gold Rush” night.
While “Gold Rush” night offered an opportunity to pump up the crowd that filled the Rhodes Field House, it also offered a chance for the crowd to, in turn, pump up the Bisons and Lady Bisons as they begin their home schedule for the 2013-2014 season. One of the leaders of the Rhodes Rowdies, senior Kyle Nossaman, talked about how “Gold Rush” night offered a chance for the home-opener to be something truly special. Nossaman is also involved in the American Marketing Association, which helped to sponsor the event.
“The Gold Rush game has the potential to be something for the record books,” Nossaman said. “We’re expecting a crowd at the Rowdie Runthrough that rivals the one at Midnight Madness. As for the first home games, we are expecting a sell-out crowd, standing room only.”
Jeff Morgan, men’s head coach, said he appreciated everyone who attended the Rowdie Runthrough.
“It was great to get together before our first home game of the new season,” Morgan said. “We love the passion and energy of our student body.”
The Rowdies were not the only Bison fans that were energized by the Rowdie Runthrough; others in attendance were getting excited for the season to tip-off.
“Being here tonight is making me even more excited about knowing the Harding basketball season finally tips-off on Thursday,” senior Patrick Meredith said.
According to Morgan, the Rowdies are a valuable part of having home games in the Rhodes. He said the Rowdies are a huge part of the team.
“We need the Rowdies to bring the energy as we open up the 2013 season,” Morgan said.
After Thursday’s games, the Lady Bisons will have 11 days off before facing the defending NCAA champions, Southern Nazarene University in Betheny, Okla. The Bisons will play Northeastern State University tomorrow in Tahlequah, Okla.
The Bisons open this season ranked No. 25 in the NABC poll and second in the GAC preseason poll. The Lady Bisons entered Thursday night’s game with two preseason wins under their belt.
