4th Annual Pep Rally: Because We Are Champions

(above) Coach Gwozdecky gave away a hockey stick to a lucky Freshman student during the Pioneer Pep Rally on Sunday evening
(above) The Pep Rally welcomed the largest Freshman class in school history


The University of Denver Division of Athletics hosted its fourth annual Pioneer Pep Rally before the largest freshmen class in school history Sunday night at Magness Arena. All first-year and transfer students and their parents were invited to the festivities from 8-9 p.m. MT.

"Voice of the Pioneers" Mitch Hyder served as the emcee for the event which introduced DU athletics, traditions, coaches, student-athletes and facilities to the students and their parents.

The event was kicked off by the DU student-athletes welcoming the first-year and transfer students. Photos of DU's on-campus facilities were shown along with Learfield Directors' Cup celebration and 2010-11 athletics highlights videos.

DU Student Body President Sam Gerk and Vice President Olivia Hails spoke about Pioneer traditions and events before a video of the Official Ritchie Center Student Entrance was shown.

Pioneer head coaches were introduced and the coaches threw select gear into the eager crowd. Volleyball player Faimie Kingsley and men's soccer player Drew Beckie talked to the students about the Student Athletic Advisory Council and Orientation Leader J.P. Griego also addressed the crowd.

DU hockey captains Dustin Jackson and Drew Shore encouraged attendance for the Student Season Ticket Campout on Sept. 24 and the rest of the Pioneer hockey players passed out donuts.

The students threw mini basketballs from the stands in hopes of winning a duffle bag full of DU merchandise, and the evening ended with the singing of the DU fight song.

9 comments:

dggoddard said...

About 57 minutes into the video...

Drew Shore speaking to the students:

"I was going to introduce all the hockey players tonight when I realized that Shawn Ostrow had already sent "Friend" requests to all the Freshmen girls."

miller said...

let the season begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

What a crowd! I want all these kids back for the Mankato series! So, I guess judging by the pic above, Coach's arm is good to go?

Anonymous said...

DU lands another recruit in Connor Honey who will be playing along side Dakota Mermis with the Green Bay Gamblers. Any info on this kid would be appreciated.

Anonymous said...

Can we assume that this is instant payoff of Derek going to Green Bay?

Chris said...

Nabbing Honey is a pretty good get, hopefully he doesn't go WHL. He just participated in a camp in Seattle with the Thunderbirds and was thought to be headed there.

ScottA said...

I guess the Chancellor was too busy diversifying to be bothered to attend. I'll also assume Boone's invite got lost in the mail... :)

Anonymous said...

Boone was very present in the those videos at the rally, so I take that as a 'wink' that the athletic administration is more interested in Boone than they'll let on publically.

Boone is very much gone from subversive/underground, to mainstream visibility now and there are more efforts going on to improve that visibility and acceptance this year, as "student mascot".

ISayISay said...

I say bring back the Foghorn Leghorn version of Ruckus.


That's a joke boy.