WARNING: Red Thunder Storms on the horizon at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥
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MONTREAL -- It was almost a year ago that the idea of a varsity fan club was conceived by ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ Varsity Council executives Tom Fabian captain of the volleyball team and Anthony Lukca, a co-captain of the football team and it has been turning heads ever since.
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Last March, the basketball Redmen advanced to the Quebec conference playoffs against the archrival Concordia Stingers, and it was in a very cramped Concordia gymnasium that 21 enthusiastic Redmen fans showed their support.Ìý But while the enthusiasm was great, this was not enough. There had to be more fanfare, more publicity, and more overall fan spirit in varsity sports at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥.
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So the idea was born to create a fan club through the Student's Society of ±«ÓãÖ±²¥.Ìý Plans were quickly put into place to start the fan club over the summer months.Ìý With a top-notch executive team made up of Monika Fabian, former football player Jeff Boudreau, rugby's Cayse Ruiter, and the two aforementioned creators, Red Thunder was born and growing fast.
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With an official launch date at the end of August 2009, the club has recruited over 300 members since, surpassing the first-year objectives.Ìý Members receive a fan pack (including T-shirt, rally towel, and Rambo-styled bandana) as well as free entrance to all varsity games.
In its marketing efforts, the club has designated specific games as "Red Thunder Storms", which include a tailgate party and after-party for the members.
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"We feel that by selecting specific games to take part in as a group we are creating a greater fan experience and fuelling a stronger recruitment for the future," says Boudreau. Ìý"We get tons of exposure through these events and only choose a few per semester so as not to lose interest from our members."
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The Red Thunder held five of these Red Thunder Storms in the fall semester, with every one of those varsity games resulting in a ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ victory -- including a stunning upset over the Sherbrooke Vert & Or in a key football game last fall.
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The Red Thunder plans to have two or three more game to showcase this semester including a huge Redmen hockey game against UQTR on the Feb. 8, a hockey playoff game for the undefeated Martlets on March 3, and a basketball playoff game in mid-March.
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This summer, the Red Thunder executive council has plans to further expand by networking with various faculty student associations and by targeting more first-year students during Frosh week.
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"Our goal is to make this club last for years to come and provide ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ athletes with the support they deserve from their student body," says Monika Fabian.Ìý "Welcome to the experience that is the Red Thunder Nation!"
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(ED. NOTE: Those interested in joining can check out the Thunderbirds and their activities on Facebook or e-mail them at mcgillredthunder [at] gmail.com)
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