This looks like a fun group, they attend the home soccer games, if I was a student at UT I would definitely join.
Rowdies look to grow in year two - The Daily Beacon: Sports
They call themselves the Ronda Rousey of soccer fan bases because theyre going to make the opponent cry in 34 seconds.
Known more commonly as the Regal Rowdies, the 89-member soccer support group is entering its second year of operation, and its already one of the universitys fastest growing student-run organizations.
The group's founders, Matthew Proffitt and Ethan Perry, took a liking to soccer almost by accident. The two, tired from playing basketball all day, laid on their couch and decided to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It was that moment when they became attracted to soccer, and in 2014 they decided to create the group known as the Regal Rowdies.
Proffitt shared a math class with junior forward Amy Neal between 2013 and 2014 when Neal admitted that her team was looking for fans to start a support group. Perry and Proffitt agreed it was something they wanted to do, and they began creating the group.
A few games went by, and support for this once small group was growing. More and more students were in the Rowdies section during games. So, the two decided to get the organization authorized by the university, and soon enough, the group was official.
Were official through the university, and we are fully supported by the soccer team, Proffitt said. Our main goal is to create an intense atmosphere and try to make it as intense and loud as a football game would be.
Our second goal is to try to get on the nerves of the other team, whether thats chanting, singing or yelling out their names. If we get them to mess up a little or to turn their heads, we know weve done our job.
The group has added many fans throughout its first year including head soccer coach Brian Pensky. The four-year coach loves the Rowdies spirit and attitude at every game.
Their support is outstanding, Pensky said. Weve put a fence behind the north goal with the hopes that we can have fans behind both goals, and many of those we hope will be Regal Rowdies
To have someone to support our girls out here, and to see it be these girls peers, it means everything to these athletes. With this being year two, we hope that the Regal Rowdies support and numbers will only grow.
The Rowdies are always a group that bring noise to Regal Stadium during every game. The main culprit of this noise is the orange and white painted drum known as Big Bertha. Its artist, Payton Miller, is also responsible for many famous paintings on Tennessee's historic Rock in the year, including Dobbs, Lil Jon and Butch Jones. Drummer Krishen Gosine is the one who bangs on Big Bertha during every game, shaking the stands and rattling opponents nerves.
We hope that one day we can be as big as the Cameron Crazies at Duke, or be as big as our big brother the Rocky Top Rowdies, Proffitt said. We have a lot of exciting stuff planned for this year, and we hope to have big turn-outs.
Proffitt wouldnt reveal all of his groups secrets, though. The junior admits that he has a lot of plans in mind, but he wants fans to come out to games to see just what those plans entail.
Last year, we didnt really know what to fully expect. But I think that this year, we have a few more things wed like to do, Proffitt said. Last year, we had the drum, and we took it behind the goal and got in the goalies head, and we had some confetti poppers, and piñatas based off of some of the other teams players that we smashed at halftime while they were on the field stretching
We have a few other things I wont say, though. I want people to come and find out.
Proffitt also pushed for students to join the Regal Rowdies this year. To join, a student can go to
https://utk.collegiatelink.net/. Then, they can navigate to the Regal Rowdies page and hit Join Organization.
However, to join, one must understand the three rules of being a Rowdy: bring your friends to the game, wear school colors while bringing any noise makers you have and finally, have fun.
I wasnt a soccer fan before doing this, Proffitt said. But just going with your friends to the game, having fun, doing cheers, and just being with your friends is one of the best ways you can spend a Friday night. Even if youre not a soccer fan, you might just wanna try it out. You could not be a soccer fan on Friday morning, and end up being a huge soccer fan by Friday night. Its something that is fulfilling, and I invite everyone to join up.