Students get loud at annual Pep Rally

Students and faculty celebrated the start of the new football season with a pep rally at the Veterans Memorial Stadium Thursday afternoon. Cheerleaders, band members, athletes, sororities, fraternities and fans alike all came together to cheer “Go Troy Go” ahead of the Saturday home game.  

To start the pep rally, the football team and head coach Gerad Parker came onto the field to speak some words of wisdom and excitement before previewing their 2025 promotional video. 

Troy cheerleaders then hyped up the crowd from the sidelines and the Sound of the South (SOTS) gave heat from the stands. 

“I’m so excited for this season,” said SOTS Colorgaurd Captain Maliah Nelson, who is a sophomore criminal justice major from Panama City, Florida. “The first game is going to be amazing.  

“The Sound of the South has been preparing all through the summer for this season, and we’re excited to show how much power we can bring to the university and to game days.”

This year, Troy’s Student Government Association mixed it up with the giveaway of two spirit sticks rather than one. Sororities and fraternities in attendance competed for the coveted prize by seeing which organization could cheer the loudest, with the winners being Chi Omega.  

“It was fun,” said Jade Jones, a Chi Omega member who is a freshman undecided major from Opelika, Alabama. “I’m glad that we won. 

“I’m looking forward to getting to spend time with my sisters at the games this season.” 

Students didn’t have to be part of an organization to join the fun. Throughout the event, students shared their ideas on what fun activities they will participate in for future game days.  

“I’m so excited,” said Jeremy Armstrong, a freshman exercise science major from Ozark, Alabama. “I’m ready for this first game, to go tailgating and the freshman run.”  

The pep rally concluded with the football team encouraging the students to come out to The Vet on Saturday to cheer on the Trojans. Before making their exit, the players gave high fives to the students in attendance as they made their way to the locker room.  

The energy and excitement continued to stay high as guests left the stadium.