Rebuilding the ISU football program has been a major task taken on by Coach Dan McCarney and his staff.

It appears as if the fan support aspect has been completed.

An enthusiastic crowd that numbered nearly 500 persons filled the lawn south of the Campanile Thursday night to participate in a pep rally for the football team as well as other athletic programs here at ISU.

“We want this to be the first time that the stadium will be packed for the opener,”McCarney said. “You, the students, will be the twelfth man for us in the crowd. You can make the difference. We will respond to your call.”

McCarney referred to the fact that ISU was one of two schools to double their student ticket sales from 1995.

The atmosphere was jubilant, as appearances were made by many different individuals, ranging from coaches to “The Round Guy,”a rather large comedian who worked the crowd up with his off-beat humor.

But the mood became serious when Athletic Director Gene Smith addressed the people in the crowd and their role in the university.

“We are family. This is our home. This stadium is ours,”Smith said. “The reason a program wins football games is because good coaches are hired, good players are brought in, we teach these players and then throw them in front of our fans.”

“We need a push from you, the fans, to send a chill down their spines. It’s up to us.”

McCarney also spoke about the close-knit relationship between the students and the rest of the university.

“The players, the coaches, the students and the administration are all in this together,”McCarney said. “We are going to come together and show everybody what ISU is all about.”

McCarney was introduced by a rousing speech by women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly.

“ISU has arrived,”Fennelly said, “and the man to bring the respect back to ISU is Dan McCarney.”

After a few emotional predictions of success in Saturday night’s game, Finley turned the microphone over to McCarney.

“We should get him to do all of our pre-game pep talks,”McCarney joked.

McCarney had three of his captains say a few words. Troy Davis was the first to speak, and was received with the loudest cheer of the night.

“I just want to thank everyone for their support out here tonight, and to do the same thing for us on Saturday night,”Davis said.

The entire team showed up for the event, arriving just before the sun completely vanished for the day. The crowd parted to form a walkway for the players, with many a student positioning themselves to get a good look at the players.

With the crowd cheering the inspirational words of McCarney and Smith, the players made their way home, chanting along with their fans as they made their exit.

There were many festivities leading up to the appearance of the football team. The cheerleading squad went through numerous stunts and dances to inspire the crowd.

The volleyball team also came out to the rally, introducing themselves to the crowd and asking for the students to help them out on Friday in the same way they would be helping the football team on Saturday:pack the house.

The volleyball team is hosting a tournament this weekend, with the first game taking place tonight against Iowa.

Some came out of the crowd to lend their support onstage. ISU Head Wrestling Coach Bobby Douglas gave some words of encouragement to the football team, as did Coach Fennelly’s two sons who were in attendance.

New apparel was launched, literally, at the rally. Cheerleaders shot T-shirts into the crowd with water balloon launchers.

After lofting a few of the shirts in this fashion, the cheerleaders then threw some to the students in the front.

Smith also introduced the “Gold Towels” to the crowd. Smith asked the crowd to swing them around “when it’s fourth and one and we need that extra yard.”

Over 100 towels were given out at the rally.

The band was also on hand to churn out fight songs to bring the crowd to their feet, clapping their hands to the rhythm.

McCarney appreciated the support shown by the crowd, but he hoped that they would not exhaust all their energy at the rally.

“Please save some of that energy for Saturday night’s game,”McCarney said.