A newly formed group is making noise – and planning to bring the spirit – to campus sporting events. The Wildcat Wranglers are a group of students who describe themselves as “just a group of students who really enjoy being loud and obnoxious.”
“We’re going to bring the energy to sports events, and we want everybody to join us,” said Keenan Wolf, freshman Bible and ministry major from Round Rock.
With a flash of purple and white overalls, the rumble of coordinated chants, and what they hope to be an electric wave of Wildcat pride, the Wildcat Wranglers say they are going to be bringing the school spirit in student sections, starting with the upcoming Homecoming game this Saturday.
This group aims to bring purposeful energy to campus sporting events and expand the culture of student spirit at athletic events. Collin Mitten, senior theatre major from Snyder, put the group together.
“It was just kind of us being loud at a game,” said Keaton Melvin, freshman Bible and ministry major from Melissa. “Then Collin came over and said, ‘Hey, we like that.’ So he sort of assembled us, like the Avengers, and now we’re here.”
What sets the Wranglers apart isn’t just their enthusiasm. They hope that with their spirited getup, they will be easy to spot in any crowd and raise spirits high, sporting purple and white striped overalls, and soon, perhaps, cowboy hats to drive their Texas roots.
“We thought, ‘Why be in Texas without cowboy hats if we’re going to call ourselves the Wildcat Wranglers,’” said Leya Applewhite, freshman theatre major from Fort Worth.
But their mission as a group goes far beyond fun and fashion: several members shared that their goal with this new organization is to cultivate new traditions at ACU.
“It’s going to be our legacy,” said Kyle Knight, freshman Bible and ministry major from Round Rock. “To make college what you want to make it, that’s our goal. We want to make it fun and make it enjoyable to go to games. We want the football team to be supported. Basically, we want ACU to have to build a new stadium by the time we leave.”
The Wranglers said they hope to build hype for Student Life and grow the overall community, which does not end with football. The Wranglers plan to energize crowds in all sports.
“Every single game,” Melvin said. “Well, for now, we’ll say football, volleyball, and basketball. We definitely hope to expand.”
As for their final message? “Go Wildcats!” the Wranglers said.
“We hope that everyone will come out, join us and make some noise,” said Reaghan White, freshman theatre.
Students interested in joining or learning more about the Wildcat Wranglers can look for them at upcoming games – just follow the sounds of cheers from what they said they hope will be ACU’s biggest student section yet. For more information, check out the Wranglers on Student Life’s Instagram page.
