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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    February 7, 2007 

NORTHWESTERN’S R-UNIT ENCOURAGING CAMPUS-WIDE PARTICIPATION FOR SPIRIT WEEK 

            Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s R-Unit has scheduled its annual Spirit Week for Feb. 12-18 and has a number of activities set, including dress up theme days and special on-campus activities.

            Monday through Friday, R-Unit has designated a special “Dress Up Theme” for each day. This year’s Spirit Week kicks off Monday with Pajama Day. Tuesday will see those on campus wearing their favorite athletic jersey. Keeping in line with Valentine’s Day on Wednesday, the theme will ask everyone to show off their favorite pink attire. On Thursday, it will be time to get out the Pearl Snaps and wear them on campus, and on Friday, it’s Ranger Red and Black Day.

“Dress up days are a great way to show school spirit and also have a lot of fun,” said Suzy Herber, R-Unit historian. “We encourage faculty, staff and, of course, students to get involved and just have a great time.”

A fun event tied in with Spirit Week this year is a “Pie in the Face” contest. Herber said that people will be able to buy tickets for the person they most want to see “pied.” The purchaser of the ticket will put their name on the back and place their tickets into that person’s bucket. The contestant with the most tickets in their bucket will be pied. R-Unit will draw ticket from the winning contestant’s bucket to decide who will have the privilege of throwing the pie at the lucky person. The pie-throwing event will take place in the Coronado Cafeteria on Friday at noon.

A complete list of Pie candidates hasn’t been compiled yet, but two in the running so far are Misti Kline, R-Unit co-sponsor, and Eric Wheeler, Student Government Association president.

Voting for this contest is open Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a booth in the Student Center. Tickets are 50 cents each or three for $1.

On Wednesday, R-Unit also has scheduled a Pep Rally at 10:45 a.m. in Percefull Fieldhouse. All students attending the rally will receive a ticket to be entered in a special contest to take place during the event. R-Unit will draw for six tickets with the winning students having an opportunity to shoot for the chance to win a six-hour tuition waiver and other smaller prizes. The grand prize winner of the tuition waiver can only win if he/she can successfully make a layup, free shot, three-pointer and half-court shot, consecutively.

Another new event added this year by R-Unit is to recognize Northwestern’s Top Senior Athletes. Herber said that each athletic team/coach will choose an outstanding senior athlete to go on a ballot to be voted upon. R-Unit is collecting the names of these athletes to create the ballots for voting on Friday, Feb. 9, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center. Each candidate will be recognized at Wednesday’s pep rally with the winner being announced during halftime of the Ranger men vs. Wayland Baptist University basketball game on Thursday, Feb. 15. The winner will receive a plaque from R-Unit.

“R-Unit decided to recognize the Top Senior Athletes because we support athletics and want to show our appreciation to those who represent our school and have been doing so for four years,” Herber said. “We wanted the entire student body to help choose because there is more to being a top athlete than performance on the court/field. Who better to judge if a person’s leadership qualities, school spirit and all-around Ranger pride is the best representation of Northwestern than those who see them on a day-to-day basis, in and out of the spotlight?”

At the Ranger basketball games set for Feb. 15, R-Unit is once again sponsoring the “Little Red Wagon Contest” at halftime of the men’s game. Herber said that student organizations will decorate a little red wagon much like a small float. At halftime, they will “parade” around the Percefull Fieldhouse floor so that three judges can get a good look at all the entries. The judges will select three winners with first place paying $100, second place $50 and third, $25.

Following the Ranger men’s basketball game on Feb. 15, a Northwestern Faculty vs. Students basketball game will take place. There will be two, six-minute halves, and the teams will be co-ed. Anyone wishing to play should contact Dr. Jim Therrell, assistant professor of education, at (580) 327-8448 or jatherrell@nwosu.edu, or Eric Wheeler, Student Government Association president, at (580) 327-8625 or edwheeler11@rangers.nwosu.edu.

A Friday evening event during Spirit Week includes an alumni basketball game where former members of the Lady Ranger’s and Ranger Men’s basketball teams will return to play each other and renew friendships. Former band members and cheerleaders also will return to provide spirit and entertaining throughout the evening. The women’s game will tip at 6 p.m., with the men’s game following at 7:30 p.m. The games are free to the public. The first 300 people to the event also will be treated to free hot dogs served by the Rowdy Rangers.

Saturday’s events will include supporting the Ranger basketball players during double-header games with Lubbock Christian University set for tip-offs at 2 and 4 p.m. At halftime of the men’s game, the annual Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will take place.

Saturday’s Spirit Week activities include a “Spirit Contest” pitting Northwestern clubs and organizations against each other during the game. Students in these groups are encouraged to show off their spirit by yelling and showing Ranger pride through signs, their clothes, their cheers, etc. Ranger fans are reminded that they should not use noise-makers when showing their Ranger spirit. Judges will be watching the visibly identifiable groups so they can award the prizes of first place, $100; second, $50; and third, $25.

Any club or organization wishing to participate in the Little Red Wagon Contest and/or the Spirit Contest must pre-register with Kline prior to each contest by e-mailing her at mekline@nwosu.edu.

R-Unit also is supporting the Northwestern music and theatre programs during Spirit Week. The music department will present its annual “Swing Cabaret” at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Student Center Ballroom. Admission is $3. Then on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17-18, Brooke Weiss, Anthony, Kan., senior, will be directing “The Shape of Things” as part of her requirements for a degree in speech and theatre. The production will be in Herod Hall Auditorium on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. General admission is $5; Northwestern employees, $4; and Northwestern students with ID, $3.

-NW-

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