New tradition kick0ffs at the university

By Brianna Wallen

News Editor

 The crunch of cleats hit the turf as lights cast a spotlight over the field. Blue and white silhouettes crowd the bleachers while spirited beats from the marching band vibrate throughout the stands. 

 Players and students that crowd the tunnel are fueled with excitement as adrenaline pumps fiercely moments before they run out into the field.  

 With Owl Flight Crew, students have the opportunity to experience Friday night lights in a new way. 

“They just feel like they’re a part of the team just for that moment,” Sal Rizza, the director of orientation, transition and family engagement, said. “It’s the coolest thing to see.” 

The Owl Flight Crew is a new thrilling tradition where students are selected to lead the football players out onto the field. 

The crew made its debut at the season opener on Sept. 5. 

Rizza said a key purpose of Owl Flight Crew is to cultivate a strong sense of school spirit. 

 “To develop that excitement, enthusiasm and loyalty for Southern sports and for their Southern experience,” Rizza said. 

At every game, a group of students is invited to join the crew. For the first football game, Rizza said freshmen were his target audience. With a turnout of 30 members, Rizza said it helped to gain momentum throughout the student body. 

The student organization that promotes school spirit, Blue Crew, decided to join in on student engagement efforts. 

Eliana Tolentino, the graduate intern of recreation and fitness, said that she noticed freshmen were eager to get involved on campus. 

 “With Flight Crew being the first group of first years, it was like a perfect segue to try to get more people involved with Blue Crew,” Tolentino said.  

This experience is not exclusive to freshmen, as many students used Blue Crew and Owl Flight Crew to create connections with their classmates and community on campus. 

“It’s just cool to see all the students connect more at the games,” Tolentino said. “Especially if they come alone and they want to be a part of something.”  

Many Owl Flight Crew members have crossed paths due to participating in the event, while others use the experience to hang out with friends and exhibit their school spirit.  

Business administration major Aidon McCray, a sophomore, said that after running out on the field for the first time, he invited his friends to join in on the exhilarating experience. 

“The third time, I had a bunch of my friends. We just all ran out on the field looking crazy, but it was a good and fun time,” McCray said.  

Psychology major Mark Jones, a senior, participated in the Homecoming football game on Oct. 5. Jones said it was fulfilling to celebrate school spirit with his fellow peers.   

 “It was literally just funny seeing everyone and just being energetic with my people,” Jones said.

While many students crossed running into the field off their bucket list and called it quits, McCray joined the Owl Flight Crew and never looked back

McCray said after being invited, he knew he had to take advantage of the opportunity. 

“I have the school spirit, and I know there’s not a lot of school spirit, or there will be people who complain about how there’s no school spirit. And then we had an opportunity like this, so I just took it,” McCray said. 

As the football season winds down with only three home games remaining, students are encouraged to participate in the university’s latest tradition. 

Students can check their email for invitations to join Owl Flight Crew or reach out to the Office of Student Involvement.McCray urges those who have not already to seize this opportunity. 

“Don’t be too cool for school,” McCray said. “Don’t say we’re gonna lose anyway, so I’m not gonna be embarrassed by it, like it doesn’t even matter. Just do it because it’s fun with your friends.”