Like other campuses across the United States, Trinity has developed several traditions to celebrate school pride across the campus. Many of these traditions are celebrated as a first-year during New Student Orientation (NSO). Between the Tower Climb, Convocation Ceremony and signing of the Honor Code, Trinity encourages first-year students to get acclimated to campus during the orientation process. Many first-years say their favorite NSO event happens on the first Saturday of orientation.

During this year’s NSO, Trinity hosted their third annual Tiger Rally for the class of 2021. Members of the Orientation Team (O-Team), Residential Life, Stand Band, Student Involvement and athletic teams all rally together to get new students excited about our athletic programs. This year, the students had the opportunity to learn the fight song, meet the captains of the fall sports teams and watch the men’s soccer team hold an inter-squad scrimmage.

“We have these to showcase our athletes and all of their successes from being a student athlete,” said Esther Kim, assistant director for orientation programs and Student Involvement.

Kim played a huge part in planning the NSO pep rally, which involves a ton of communication and coordination with the O-Team, Student Involvement and athletics.

“We had foam paws, noisemakers, Trinity tattoos with LeeRoy and the fight song,” Kim said.

Members of the football team, cross country team and women’s soccer team lined up to cheer and welcome the first-years to Paul McGinlay Soccer Field.

Hannah-Elyse Konyecsni, a junior member of the O-Team, was thrilled to showcase her #TigerPride to the class of 2021.

“I think the pep rally is a great example of how supportive Trinity students are to their fellow students,” Konyecsni said. “This is true of all events on campus, but sports are definitely [some] where you get to be more vocal with your excitement,” she adds.

Yet, despite all of the excitement generated by the event, this is the only pep rally held the entire year. Why is that?

As an athlete, I can attest to the fact that nothing is cooler than having fans at our games. When I look up into the stands and see my best friends and classmates cheering me on, it’s an absolute game changer.

“It’s a psychological thing,” said Justin Ventura, junior quarterback. “If you see a lot of people there cheering you on you feel a sense to play better.”

More pep rallies could lead to higher game attendance, more school spirit and even better athletic performance by our teams. According to the NCAA website, fan attendance causes athletes to experience “˜physiological arousal,’ or a feeling of being fired up. This, in turn, increases athletic performance.

Trinity is working on incorporating more of these pep rallies into the school year, but it’s going to take a few years to make this change.

“That’s what we strive to do in three to five years,” Kim said.

Student Involvement hopes to plan these events for all of the athletic teams, no matter the season.

“Trinity is a community and we want to make sure that each individual feels welcome and feels a sense of camaraderie within the student population and faculty and staff,” Kim said.

Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or not, make an effort to go support your fellow Tigers this year. All of the athletic schedules are on Trinity’s online calendar. You may not realize it, but you could change the game. It’s all in your hands.