Schools Share Spirited Rally Downtown Fun Sets Stage For Ewu-Montana

Sat., Sept. 30, 2000

By Jonathan Brunt jonathanb@spokesman.com (509) 459-5442

Logan and Mary Bell Rogers won’t take sides in today’s football matchup between Eastern Washington University and Montana.

“We don’t know if we should wear maroon or red,” Mary Bell Rogers explained.

For them, the growing rivalry between the two schools is intensified because their son is a University of Montana alumnus and their daughter-in-law is an Eastern Washington University administrator.

The teams square off today at 6:05 p.m. at Albi Stadium.

To prepare for the match, a pep rally energized a crowd of Eagles and Grizzlies fans Friday on Wall Street between Riverside and Main.

The hourlong event included back-and-forth vigor from each of the school’s football teams, cheerleading squads and marching bands.

“It’s an absolute great way to show our alumni that they can be proud of their school,” said Julie Hall, Eastern’s assistant director of alumni relations, who cheered on the Eagles while holding her daughter on her shoulders.

Eastern Washington President Stephen Jordan said he hopes the pep rally becomes an annual event.

“We really wanted to show what true intercollegiate athletics is about,” he said.

And for University of Notre Dame alumnus Logan Rogers, it succeeded.

“That’s what it’s all about,” he said. “It reminded me of being back at Notre Dame.”

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