Nate Sanchez

Senior Columnist

The Rowdy Run is upon us.

Tonight at 7 p.m. during the men’s soccer game against San Jose State, Roadrunner fans along with administration members will run the length of the bleachers led by our mascot, Rowdy.

If you don’t know what the Rowdy Run is, it’s a tradition set in place in 2012 by Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Thomas Wallace, who started it at the University of Mississippi. It takes place this year, as it normally does, at the Main Soccer Field.

“The Rowdy Run is what we do to introduce our new students to the campus and the community,” Wallace said. “It’s a way of getting them excited to be here and it’s our way of saying ‘we’re glad you’re here.’”

While the Rowdy Run itself takes place during an athletic event, it’s around to incorporate everyone in the community.

“It’s done through the Office of Student Involvement and [Athletics] is the outlet for it,” said Assistant Athletics Director for Communications Corey Costelloe. “So it’s not just an athletics thing, it’s for all students.”

It’s a simple concept for a school, compared to other institutions, still in its infancy. CSUB is only 45 years old, so establishing traditions, as simple as they seem, is important.

“It’s not a fancy event,” Costelloe said. “It’s not like they’re running through a gauntlet and people are swinging sticks at them, but the fact that you’ve got the school spirit going makes for some great images.”

All students are welcome to participate in the Rowdy Run.

Writer’s note: I’d totally be in favor of seeing the Rowdy Run turn into people running through a gauntlet with people swinging sticks at them. Corey gets five points for that idea.