Whether they are rushing the court after a famous one-point win over Liberty University in Willett Hall or leading the chants at a lacrosse or soccer game, the Lancer Lunatics are the self-appointed “team behind the team.”
Loudly and proudly thrusting their support behind the university’s 14 NCAA-level teams, the Lunatics were created in 2004 by Parks Smith (’08). The Lunatics are, in simple terms, a group of students that support the school by cheering at athletic events and, according to the mission on their website, “[aims] to build tradition and respect by unifying the Longwood community and promoting Lancer pride.”
Club President Molly Monaghan said, “We strive to create the craziest home atmosphere for Longwood. Although our university is small, we have passion that can match any large school. It is this passion that makes us the craziest fans in the Big South.” Indeed, they are the craziest fans in the Big South — at least according to the Naismith Foundation, who christened the Lunatics as such last spring.
Executive Vice President Matt Tregoning is one of several students who, like Monaghan, are in the front row or in front of the bleachers in Willett Hall at virtually every basketball game. The organization is a fixture at other events related to the school, such as the Greatest Athletics March Ever (G.A.M.E.).
Tregoning said, “We work with other organizations such as the SGA, [The] Rotunda and Lancer Productions to improve communication about sporting events and spread Lancer Pride. The meaning of being a part of the Lancer Lunatics to me is indescribable; it’s about the adrenaline rush that a person gets when the basketball team hits a game winning jumper or the softball team hits a walk-off single to win the Big South Championship. I love this organization because it represents what Longwood is about – what you put in is what you’re going to get out of it.”
This year, the Lunatics will continue their weekly program, Lunch with the Lunatics. It historically has happened at 12 p.m. on Tuesdays, typically in the Lee Grand Hall of Dorrill Dining Hall. There, students have an opportunity to connect with staff members from the athletics department, such as Director of Athletics Troy Austin and Head Softball Coach Kathy Riley.
In addition, there is a slight change this year in the way the Lunatics run their annual card promotion. For the past couple of years, the Lunatics have offered their official T-shirt and a card good for a myriad of discounts at dozens of shops around town. This year, the card is still around, but the first 500 students will receive replica basketball jerseys. T-shirts are still available as well.
The Lunatics run a Twitter account (@LancerLunatics) that is frequently updated throughout the year.
Students interested in joining the organization are encouraged to contact any member of the executive board or Eric Stoller, athletics director of marketing and game operations.
The Lancer Lunatics, known as the "team behind the team," show their support for the Lancers.
