Behind the Madness: Reed Rowdies/Aggie Angels
Oct 06, 2014 | Men's Basketball
BEHIND THE MADNESS
Reed Rowdies and Aggie Angels
help bring tremendous energy to Reed Arena
by Victoria White '18
Texas A&M Media Relations
From the screaming, energetic supporters in the stands to the girls standing tall in crisp button downs and black skirts, Reed Arena has morphed into a melting pot for two organizations with the same goal.
Driven by their passion for the sport and school, the Reed Rowdies and Aggie Angels work closely behind the scenes to promote Aggie basketball and to create a fun atmosphere for fans.
"I believe that A&M Athletics is going places. I care a lot about sports. I love the feeling I get at Kyle Field when the 12th Man is present and I really want to bring that spirit to Reed Arena," Aggie Angels president Mary Jane Shea said.
Dedicated to service of the team and community, the all-girl group attends every men's and women's home game, selling programs and helping with marketing and stats, in addition to making gift baskets and posters for all of the players.
"There's a lot that goes on each game and these student-athletes are giving their all," Shea said. "They sacrifice a lot of time to play basketball for A&M and represent the school and it's what we get to do to help that succeed."
Another student group offering support is the Reed Rowdies Officer Club. Though every student who attends an A&M men's basketball game is considered a Reed Rowdie, this extension of the student body goes above and beyond to serve the players, coaches, and fans.
"Aside from going to the games and trying to create an environment that is very advantageous to the team, we also do a lot to create awareness to students on campus," Reed Rowdies president Alex Coleman said.
With responsibilities ranging from holding banners on campus and blowing up social media to working with the Yell Leaders to create basketball specific chants and running fun promotions like 'Dunk on Marshall' during last year's Ole Miss game, the Rowdies are constantly searching for new, memorable ideas.
"One year we had a gorilla in an A&M basketball jersey chasing around a banana in an A&M basketball jersey," Coleman said. "[We just find] different, fun, quirky ways to try to get awareness out to the students about basketball games."
Recently the student organizations partnered up to build a better bond and more efficient network. Along with supporting Aggie basketball together, they've sled down Mt. Aggie, recruited together at MSC Open House, and gone to Coach Kennedy's house for a pizza party social.
"They're a great group of girls who really care about the basketball team so it's been fun really getting to form more of a relationship with their organization," Coleman said.
While the Angels and Rowdies know how to have fun, they said they take their responsibilities in regards to the basketball program very seriously.
"I know how hard they work each day and I want to be there for them because it's hard for them to go to an arena that's empty when they've been working their heart out for a sport that they put all their time into," Shea said.
For some players, the support means everything.
"My high school games we really didn't have a lot of fan support so I'm appreciative," sophomore forward Davonte Fitzgerald said. "We feed off of that energy and it makes it hard for opponents to come here."
Especially during tough moments, the team looks to the crowd for motivation.
"We may be down like 5 or something and we go on a run and everybody's in it," Fitzgerald said. "You just feel that energy and that's what you need as a team to get going sometimes."
Growing up around A&M's basketball program, junior guard Alex Caruso has been on both sides of the game.
"It's surreal because I still have flashbacks and memories where I can remember sitting under the goal and seeing one of the former players make a play and the college kids behind me just going crazy and like probably yelling a bunch of profane stuff they shouldn't have yelled," Caruso said with a laugh. "It's still the same but it's really cool to see the different perspective I have from it now."
According to the players, student support sets in the reality of game moments.
"It's so much easier for us to play hard and for us to run around and be competitive when we have people in the stands cheering for us," Caruso said. "If they're not out there, it's just like another practice against another team. Them being there makes it actually feel like it's a game and it really means something."
Caruso said a full house gives the Aggies a competitive edge.
"Every time that another student comes into the gym it's a better opportunity for us to win and it's another voice yelling, cheering us on…maybe we'll get that extra rebound or that extra lay-up, whatever it needs," Caruso said. "They are the extra home court advantage."
Advocating through twitter and awareness efforts, both organizations strive to sell out Reed Arena.
"Reed Arena when full is like no other place in my opinion. When you have 4,000 students in the arena and you're all going crazy when the team does something really well, that's what makes it fun," Coleman said.
United by the love of basketball and spirit of Aggieland, the Angels and Rowdies volunteer their time and efforts to be a part of something greater.
"You're with a group of people that care about Aggie basketball just as much as you do and you're with a group of people that want to see the team succeed so badly and are willing to do anything to get people to those games and try and do as much on our part to influence the games," Coleman said.
In preparation for Tip-Off Club Weekend and Midnight Yell with the team later this week, the Rowdies and Angels encourage students to rally behind basketball.
"I think a lot of students have written off our basketball program but we are in the middle of a resurgence," Coleman said. "I think it's important for fans to give our team a chance because it's going to be an exciting year and I think we're going to be way better than people expect."
Senior guard Jordan Green said the team has ambitious goals for the upcoming season.
"We want to bring a championship back to the 12th Man. We feel like basketball-wise we deserve that because we've been working our butts off in off-season and also for our fans because they're loyal," Green said. "We want to bring something back to them and leave a legacy for the 12th Man."
