AU Athletics has severed its connections with the Screaming Eagles, leaving the organization in student hands as students work to make the group a student club.
The Screaming Eagles are the Eagles boosters, who organize at each event to cheer on the sports teams. The group, clad in blue shirts, has been administered by Athletics since its inception two years ago as a project of Athletics Director Tom George, who resigned July 31. Although the past year had been filled with stellar performances on the field and court, the group saw a drop in membership and attendance on the sidelines.
Assistant Athletics Director for Communications Shaun May released a statement last week stating that Athletics is, "trying to make [Screaming Eagles] more student run rather than administration run."
This move has sparked sophomore Stephen Tucker to take action. Tucker, an energetic Screaming Eagle from last year, is working with students Anthony DeAngelo and Nick Thorpe to draft a constitution and incorporate the group as a student club.
As of press time, the constitution was still being drafted and Tucker was attempting to recruit members.
"At first I thought [the lack of athletic support] would be a problem," Tucker said, "but the way it was explained to me, it might be better for a school that is this apathetic about athletics."
The move from Athletics to Student Activities may cause funding issues for the organization but Tucker said it is a non-issue.
"I don't even know yet, what we might need funding for," Tucker said. "We're so broad based this year, but it's just going to be, 'Everybody, why don't you come out for a game?' Anything we can do to make people want to come."
Even though Athletics pulled its full support, "we will help them on a case by case basis," May said.
"If they want to go on a bus trip to Navy, we will certainly set up food, transportation, tickets to the game," May said. "We will not make money on it."
As Tucker makes plans to switch the program to Student Activities, he is also brainstorming ways to increase membership and attendance at games.
Ideas include more giveaways and activities during the half time of basketball games. Tucker's dream idea is to involve an AU administrator in a dunk tank contest in some way.
"I know [President Benjamin] Ladner would never do it, but imagine the turnout for a basketball game if one lucky fan got a shot," Tucker said.
Tucker hopes to draw members to the organization by offering food to those who show up early and offer discounts to full members.
"I want to do a cookout before a game," Tucker said. "If we tell people, bring a $1, get a hamburger, people would come to games."
The offer of food would extend to events after the games as well, such as possibly offering a dessert, Tucker said.
Tucker's main goal is to get students to show up on time or early for sports events.
"With the students here in general, they get places fashionably late and fashionably late doesn't cut it," Tucker said. "I know people like sports, they participate in intramurals, they follow sports, but the general feelings about AU sports are embarrassing"
