For the first time ever, the ‘Beat South’ pep rally, which takes place the night before Troy University’s rival football game with South Alabama, was off-campus as a community-wide event.
Students and locals cheered in t-shirts reading “Beat South,” children ran around, dressed like cheerleaders and playing tag, and T-Roy spread playful mischief while live music from an all-student rock band filled the square of downtown Troy.
To kick the night off, three students were pulled on stage to compete for a football jersey signed by head football coach Gerad Parker. The contestants had to see who could fit the most marshmallows in their mouth while still being able to say, “Beat South.”
“It was easy until the very end when we had to put three marshmallows in our mouths at once – but I still got it out,” said winner Shaun Lester, a freshman broadcast journalism major from Prattville, Alabama. “I mean, it's a signed jersey by Coach Parker.
“You don’t really get a lot of these, so I’m excited.”
Troy University’s cheerleaders performed and hyped up the crowd.
Georgia Bagdonas, a freshman undecided major from Huntsville, Alabama and a member of Troy University’s cheerleading team, said pep rallies are always special to her.
“I love school spirit, and I love being a part of a community that's just so loving and can get excited for their school,” Bagdonas said. “I think the most important thing about pep rallies is how you’re reaching out to your local community and just getting excited for the football game – cheering on the Trojans no matter what.”
Throughout the event, which lasted from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., attendants browsed local shops, played cornhole, mingled and enjoyed live music from Speak Easy, a band made-up of Troy University students.
Natalie Lant, a sophomore music industry major from Prattville, Alabama, said her favorite part of the pep rally was the music.
“They’re so awesome and . . . it adds a more lively atmosphere,” Lant said.
She also said pep rallies make her feel closer to the school and community.
“Especially seeing all of the students here and everybody getting together and cheering on Troy, it's just a really cool thing to see,” Lant said.
Betsy Bennet, a senior human services major from Eufaula, Alabama, and the president of the Student Government Association, said the entire night was a success.
“We kind of thought this year was the year that we should try something new with pep rallies, and what a better time than our beat south week because that always gets students really excited and eager to support the Trojans,” Bennet said. “With it being downtown, we can incorporate the businesses that are local and then also the community members.
“It definitely has potential to become an even bigger event in the next couple of years.”