The St. Charles Room was a sea of gold and maroon before the Nov. 6 game against Tulane University.

The room was packed with students all eager to cheer on the Wolfpack at the Wolfpack pep rally as they took on Tulane for the annual Battle of Freret Street. For five dollars, students could purchase tickets to the game and receive complimentary food provided by Loyola’s Dining Services, and beverages provided by Coca-Cola, Monster and Southern Eagle. The tables that lined one side of the St. Charles Room had free items for fans to take for the games like pom-poms, megaphones, t-shirts and tattoos.

The pep rally featured both the Loyola Wolfpack cheerleading squad and dance team. The crowd got even more excited when men’s basketball coach Michael Giorlando and three members of the team came to the stage to say a few words. Giorlando first introduced history senior Richard Kohnke who said a few words and then introduced marketing senior, Darrinton Moncrieffe who gave an introduction from management senior Ryan Brock. Brock got the crowd pumped up with a few inspirational words and promised that the team would play their hardest.

Following the players pep talk was a school spirit costume contest. The contest featured super-fans who had dressed from head to toe for the event. The contestants had to dance on stage to different varieties of music while the crowd picked who they thought looked the best. The winner received $100 in Wolfbucks. Costume contest champion, Zachary Lombardo, said that he entered the competition because of his dire need for more Wolfbucks.

“I’m gonna make it rain Wolfbucks,” Lombardo said after his victory, “This should last me until Thanksgiving break.”

After the festivities, Loyola’s own St. Ignatius Spirit Band led fans across the street to the Fogelman Arena for tip-off.

Michelle Gingras can be reached at [email protected]