Pep-Rally Perceptions

Ah the joys of fall football season—the sound of the band, swishing pom poms, and even the smell of game-day barbecues. There is, however, one aspect to football season that I’ve never been accustomed to—the homecoming pep rally.

Because I’d never been to a pep rally, I took my friend Whitney, who is undoubtedly the biggest Bobcat football fan ever to have graced the Gallatin Valley. Seriously, this girl has been to every home game in the past three years, and she even wore a Bobcats sticker tattoo on her face for two days straight. Now that’s commitment.

Before approaching the pep rally, I couldn’t help but stop at the downtown Co-op to buy coconut water. I’ve recently learned to embrace the inner hippie-esque attitude that Bozeman has instilled in me after three years of living here.

Once we arrived, organic beverages in hand, the energy of the crowd overwhelmed us. The hyper-enthusiastic cheerleaders and dance team bounced around while the Spirit of the West Marching Band played music from the Phantom of the Opera. An admitted musical nerd, I was highly entertained by their song selection. After chasing down our mascot, Champ, for an obligatory Bobcat pride picture, we mingled our way through the crowd to view the front part of the stage.

It was there that I saw something I’ll unfortunately never forget. All the 2012 Homecoming court candidates made their way to the stage, and "Single Ladies" by Beyoncé started playing over the speakers. The four guys were dancing to "Single Ladies"… this is a sight I could have lived without.

Through all the excitement and loud cheers, I did notice something I wasn’t expecting. The crowd at the pep rally wasn’t just students—community members and their children were there as well. Both old and new generations of Bobcats were all together supporting our university. It was then I realized how proud I really am to be a Bobcat and I wasn’t afraid to shout out cheers for the Cats. Turns out these homecoming pep-rally things really do work after all!

Are you a Bozemanite?

Whether this is your first year at MSU or your fifth, the question inevitably arises: are you a true Bozemanite? Take our quiz to find out if Bozeman is really the place for you.

1. Do you plan your class schedule so that you can make it up to the ski hill at least three days a week?

2. In the fall and spring, do you wear shorts underneath snow pants, to be prepared for any kind of weather?

3. Do you know at least three dogs names Bridger or Madison, and maybe one or two people?

4. Do you understand what the Barmuda triangle means?

5. Do you wait until July to remove your snow tires?

6. Do you start ski training in August?

7. Do you eat ramen all year so that you can afford outdoor gear?

8. Are cuts, bruises, and abrasions a source of endless story-telling rather than intolerable pain?

9. Have you worn Birkenstocks or Chacos with socks?

10. Does a “study day” involve throwing a couple books into your pack and heading up to the hill, whether it be to hike or ski?

11. Have you gone skiing every month of the year?

12. Have you danced the night away at Music on Main?

13. Have you guided your car through a cattle drive on a state highway?

14. Do you drive a Subaru?

15. Have you gotten up before dawn to go fishing?

16. Have you entered in at least one of Outside Bozeman’s contests in an attempt to score awesome gear?

17. Do you float the Madison or Jefferson every summer?

18. Have you watched live music at Norris Hot Springs while your hair forms icicles?

19. Have you gone extreme sledding down Peets Hill, sans helmet and knee pads?

20. Do you chuckle good-naturedly at the antics of obvious out-of-staters, calling them “tourons”?

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0 points: What the heck are you doing here? If all you do is study and sleep, might as well be in Kansas or Nebraska.

1-6 points: You’re not a total loser, but you are pretty pathetic. Throw away the Valium, wipe the slobber off your chin, and explore this awesome town we call home.

7-13 points: Not a bad start, but you’ve got plenty of work to do. Keep doing what you’re doing; if you need some guidance, check out the MSU Pocket Guide and Outside Bozeman magazine.

14-20 points: Congratulations, you’re a Bozemanite! Now, the bad news: you’ll never be able to leave this awesome place, and for the rest of your life, envious house guests will take over your living room every summer and winter.