At 7 p.m., it's game time — not only for the Ball State football team, but also for its fans. Tailgating season is underway as the Cardinals take on their first opponent and try to improve upon last year's 2-10 record.
Students are gearing up to "white out" the Redhawks. More than 2,200 people have committed to wearing white at the game according to a Facebook event as of Wednesday night.
Charlie's Crew is getting pumped for the season opener. The group of 12 students will help with promotion and crowd participation, ultimately helping students show their pride for the Cardinals. The crew serves as a liaison between students and the Athletics Department. Tonight marks the start of the crew's first football season as a group after beginning last winter during basketball season.
Senior Hailey Althoff has been a member of Charlie's Crew since it began last year. She said she hopes to get her fellow students excited about athletic events.
"Going to games and cheering for your team is a great way to support your school and student athletes," she said. "It's free, and you chose to go to this school, so show your pride by taking advantage of this opportunity."
Members of the crew want students not only to show up, but to come prepared. Tucker Florea, a senior sports administration major and member of Charlie's Crew, said he hopes to see students decked out in white with noisemakers such as bells or kitchenware, decorated signs and giveaways from previous games, including Thundersticks and rally towels.
"Those things are given out for a reason. We want students to use them over and over again to distract the other team and have fun while sitting in the stands," Florea said.
The Athletics Department is trying to get the entire city rallied around tonight's game.
Last Friday, Molly Myers, director of Marketing and Promotions for Ball State Athletics, and the rest of the athletics staff reached out to about 600 members of the Muncie community with an event downtown called "Paint the Town Red." Myers said the event raised morale for the coming season with free giveaways, food and an opportunity to meet and speak with coach Stan Parrish.
Tonight is Community Day, hosted by the Muncie Chamber of Commerce, the Athletics Department and Student Government Association. Pregame activities include inflatables, a dunk tank, face painting and games for kids starting at 4 p.m. Local band Eight Stories High will perform from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
"We are trying to promote a family environment to keep them coming back to Ball State," said SGA President Matt Whitlock, who had included Community Day as a platform point.
Whitlock said their efforts to promote Community Day should result in a strong turnout.
"I feel like attendance is going to be very high," he said. "It's the season opener."
Mutual Bank is helping the Cardinals make noise tonight by sponsoring free Thundersticks, which will be handed out to the first 8,000 fans.
Myers said she loves kicking off football season.
"It's the coolest thing to see everyone from the Muncie area come together and show their support and enthusiasm for the team," she said.
Jessica Tharp contributed to this story.
8 Things to Bring to Tonight's Game
1. Yourself and your friends
2. White clothes/body paint
3. Noisemakers - blowhorns, pots, pans, cowbells, etc.
4. Old rally towels/Thundersticks
5. Decorated signs
6. Ball State gear - flags, stickers, accessories, etc.
7. A rested voice ready to cheer
8. Crowd pleasers - keep the crowd enthusiastic by bringing a beach ball to pass around
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