Rowdy Gentlemen (Boisterous Brothers) Discussion of Ignatian All-Male Spirit Squads Facilitated by: Nick Fagnant of RJHS

Regis Jesuit Rowdies

Rowdies: Role at RJ Lead student Crowds at Home Basketball and Football Games Be a Leader on Campus and on Social Media Promote Involvement in RJ Student Life Work with LINK Leaders for Freshman Welcome Game Work with Admissions for New Raiders Nights Work with StuCo on Homecoming, Mission Week, and Other Activities Fun Before Games: Tailgating, Temporary Tattoos, etc.

Leaders on Campus Presidents of StuCo and Several Other Clubs Kairos Rectors and Freshmen Retreat Core Team Leaders Varsity Athletes Multiple AP Classes Currently - Youngest Jesuit in Training in the Missouri Provence Also - guys that are none of these things

Rowdies: Role at Games Football in the Fall and Basketball in the Winter - Home Games by Default, Away Games by Request Lead student section in cheers “Front Line” for Student Safety Cheer FOR our Team, not Against anyone else

Our Mission "Seeking Excellence in Academics, Activities, and Athletics" In pursuit of excellence, the Colorado High School Activities Association strives to create a positive and equitable environment in which all qualified student participants are challenged and inspired to meet their highest potential. To fulfill this mission the Colorado High School Activities Association will: Act as an integral component of the educational process. Administrate, interpret, and seek compliance with the CHSAA By-laws as needed to promote fair play within Colorado activities and athletics. Provide diverse and equitable opportunities for participation that encourages all qualified students to take part in the activity/athletic experience. Provide an environment that enhances personal development through sporting behavior, character education, teamwork, leadership, and citizenship while increasing values that partner the educational standards of the State of Colorado. Recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Colorado athletes, teams, coaches, and administrators through our academic and activity awards programs.

Rowdies In the News

In Their Own Words The best part of the Rowdy Squad is that we just let it all out and have fun. We don't care what anybody thinks and we don't care what we were doing. We have a good time wherever we are. I think that's the purpose of the Rowdies, to give our school and our classmates a place to have a good time. Another great aspect of the Rowdies is that we are leaders of the school in a very unique way. People look up to us and count on us to make our school fun and give our student body spirit. Because we are leaders of are school, not everyone approves of us or likes how we do things. Every year there are students and teachers who talk about how the Rowdies are not good enough, and that can be challenging. Finally, one of the most challenging parts of being part of this squad is the chemistry between everyone involved. It was difficult at times to keep a creative and fun atmosphere.

In Their Own Words My favorite part about being a rowdy was the excitement and energy that we got to show. It was fun to see how our energy affected the fans and sometimes the game. Being able to show a side if us that not everyone knew about was pretty cool. Also chicks seem to dig us. The biggest struggle was having to hold back some of the cheers that everyone wanted to do. Communication and being in the same page was pretty tough too at times.

In Their Own Words What i loved most about being a rowdy was being at the games cheering the student section on and at the end of the games having girls wanting your number. My biggest struggle was the time commitment due to my involvement at school and church. There were a lot of meetings that carried on too long and it conflicted with a lot of my other activities. But I loved being a rowdy, it was a great experience, being a leader of the school, and it was something I always wanted to do.

In Their Own Words Next Year’s Captain: This year as a rowdy I'm looking forward to all the opportunity. Not only the opportunity to lead the entire student body in cheers every football and basketball game, and not only because we get to run around school and pep rallies doing anything and everything to get the students at regis as excited and pumped up on school spirit as the rowdy's are. But I'm looking forward to the opportunity to be the face of the school; to be the guy that everyone points to when trying to explain to a parent what a Regis Jesuit High School student is. I look forward to being a roll model for the underclassmen - someone they can look up to. I look forward to being the guy making sure everyone is having some of the most unforgettable moments of their lives next year as my rowdy squad takes on every task we are given. We will be, from homecoming to graduation, the Rowdies of 2014, and we plan on making it the best year yet. From the freshman to the seniors, we have everyone at our backs and we will lead them into a fun time. Running, cheering, and losing our minds. that's what I look forward to on and off the sideline of this year.

NPR on Bros

NPR on BROs

Other JSEA Schools SLUH, DeSmett, Rockhurst.... that’s all I know. OTHERS? FUTURE: Province-Wide Gathering???

Discussion Questions Are these Spirit Squads and what they do and try to accomplish IGNATIAN? We do Tryouts and an Overnight Retreat - How do you Prep your Spirit Squad? Are they more trouble then they’re worth? Is it too much to expect them to have formalized leadership roles on campus? Are they Stooges for the Administration or do they have too much freedom? Elitism? Diversity? (Bro-ness?) Do organizations like CHSAA keep them in-line, or does it tie their hands? What else do they do in your campus? How do we get better? Where is the MAGIS?