Florida A&M University’s Campus Activities Board held a pep rally Thursday in the Al Lawson Center to build school spirit for Saturday’s SWAC Football Championship game.
This was the first pep rally of the school year as FAMU did not have the usual beginning of the season pep rally. Sophomore theater performance major Keith Wesley is a member of CAB. Wesley says they were eager to be able to hold a pep rally for the championship game due to the previous cancellations.
“The pep rally was an event CAB as well as the student body has wanted since welcome week. With our welcome week pep rally getting canceled and not having one during homecoming, we were excited to do this for the SWAC Championship,” Wesley said. “Our big plans were thrown off by factors outside of our control but I am immensely proud of my CAB FAMUly for putting together such a massive event.”
This is FAMU’S first time making it to the SWAC football championship since it joined the conference in 2021, and many students and staff attended. Doors opened at 6 p.m. with the event starting at 7.
Upon entering students were encouraged to sit with whichever graduating class they are part off. Flyers posted to social media also encouraged students to wear colors based on class. White was for freshmen, green for sophomores, orange for juniors and black for seniors.
The event began with a performance from the Marching 100 along with the cheer team. The football team them came out, and head coach Willie Simmons spoke a few words of encouragement before allowing the crowd to call out players they wanted to hear from. Quarterback Jeremy Moussa said the team wants fans to come out and support them on Saturday.
“Rain or shine we expect everyone to come out with a lot of energy,” Moussa said.
Each CAB class president and vice president chanted to represent their respective classes.
That led to a game of tug of war between volunteer student and staff participants.
The cheer team gave a brief performance which incorporated stunting, tumbling and finished with a dance routine. Student volunteers then played a game of pop the balloon where they were instructed to run, pop a balloon as they sat, and then tag a teammate.
A performance from the FAMU student record label Venomous Entertainment took place featuring student artist Mr. 1K and Charlea.
During the pep rally students were seen chanting, singing and dancing to different songs being played. Psychology transfer student Reign Scott is new to campus and says she is glad she was able to finally attend a FAMU pep rally.
“I am a transfer student this year and this was my first time experiencing a FAMU pep rally,” she said. “The atmosphere was so fun and engaging. I’m glad I decided to come out and experience it.”
The event concluded with a performance from the Attack Dance Crew.