Men's social club TNT reintroduced the Rhodes Rowdies at home basketball games. Historically, the Rhodes Rowdies were known for filling Rhodes-Reaves Field House with cheers and shouts during home basketball games. With a decline in game attendance, members of men's social club TNT decided to bring the spirit back to the court. In previous seasons, members of TNT were known for their involvement with the Rowdies. The basketball coaches and men's and women's teams recruited the social club to reignite the enthusiasm of the student body and boost player morale. Senior Carter Bramlett, president of TNT, said the club was given the freedom to develop new ideas to engage the crowds. Bramlett nominated seniors Austin Bishop and Hunter Gowen to become TNT's ambassadors for the Rowdies. "I knew those two would be the head honchos of rebuilding the Rowdies on TNT's behalf because they were so enthusiastic about everything they did in general," Bramlett said. Gowen said he was passionate about reviving the Rowdies because he remembered the way their presence filled the Field House when he was younger. "The whole north side of the gym was completely packed with fans, and when that place is packed, it's incredibly loud," Gowen said. "I wanted to be a part of bringing that excitement and energy back." Bishop said he believed the Rowdies put Harding on the map for many prospective students. "People would look at us and be impressed by our student section at games alone because we were being our loudest and craziest selves all for the sake of supporting our fellow students on the team," Bishop said. Aside from building upon old traditions like revamping a few original Rowdies chants, TNT and the other social clubs involved were given the opportunity to host challenges and activities during halftime. "That energy in the room during that moment, that was what we had been missing all along." "During the first game of the season, we created a full-court putt challenge that somebody won, and the place went nuts when she got it," Gowen said. "That energy in the room during that moment, that was what we had been missing all along." Whether students were interested in sports or not, Bishop said he wanted the new-and-improved Rowdies to establish an atmosphere anyone could join. "All it took to be a Rowdie was to simply show up," Bishop said. "It's not just about basketball, and it's not just about TNT. It's about supporting each other and collectively coming together as one student body." story by Caroline Lea social clubs 65 I
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