"I believe that we will win!" President Patrick Finnegan led Longwood students with this cheer during the Rally that kicked off the Greatest Athletics March Ever 2.0 (GAME) Sunday, August 21. The Rally started in Willett Gym at 6 p.m., with students decked out in Longwood gear, blue face paint and Longwood Lancer Soccer scarves waving in the air.
Longwood's new mascot was revealed during the Rally as well. The "Horse" beat out the "Wood," which was the second choice for a mascot. "First thought was I was really glad not to see the tree, said junior Jimmie Bullock. I think the mascot looks great. They did a great job with it."
"I will say that I was skeptical at first before the mascot was revealed. I always just thought it should be a knight, but after seeing the new mascot, I love it!" said senior Sara Bendrick.
Senior Skyler Broughman added, "While the ‘Wood' was unique, I feel the ‘Horse' encompasses the spirit of the school and stays true to the Lancer logo."
Finnegan took the stage and got the students pumped up for the first home game of the season. "One thing about being a Lancer and having Lancer pride is you have got to believe," Finnegan told the crowd. Longwood students then poured out the doors in Willett and marched up through town to the Longwood Athletics Complex on Johnston Dr.
Farmville Town Manager Gerry Spates explained that since Farmville maintains its own streets, orchestrating the march was a simple process. Farmville and Longwood police helped maintain the crowds and keep everyone safe. Some Virginia State officers and Prince Edward County Sherriff's Department members helped as well.
Spates said this year's crowd was larger than last year's (the first year of the event). "I think it's a great event. It pulls the community together. It gives a chance for the community and students to come together. I think this was a pretty neat thing," said Spates.
Bendrick felt the march helped bring the community and the school together by having an event both could participate in.
"I think that the university has become a huge part of the local community here and marching through town shows the community we are still here and going strong," said Bullock.
"I think it definitely may have made Farmville more aware of us and that we're more than just another university. I was near the head of the march and saw so many residents come to their doors and porches to watch us walk by. And almost all of them had a smile on their face. Several of them even joined us in our chants when we passed them. That was really awesome," said Broughman.
Longwood Woman's Soccer took the field at 7 p.m., playing Howard University. Both teams had a slow start, with no points scored in the first half. Longwood scored early in the second half, and beat Howard 2-0.
As Longwood Chief of Police Bob Beach said, the night was a night to "show the nation what Longwood is all about."
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