Saint Mary's will co-host the first pep rally today along with four Notre Dame dorms - Knott, Pasquerilla East, Pasquerilla West, and Siegfried. This year marks the third time the College has sponsored a pep rally, and the Board of Governance has stepped up efforts to advertise the event to students.
"I think having it at the beginning of the year is an excellent way for our students to show school pride and get excited for the year ahead," student body vice president Sarah Falvey said.
This year the Board of Governance hopes to get the student body more involved. Instead of just advertising through e-mail, they plan to go dorm to dorm to spread the word.
Also, inspired by Notre Dame's "The Shirt," Saint Mary's is selling the "SMC shirt."
Saint Mary's freshmen Madison Thatcher and Hilary Ferguson said they were excited for their first Notre Dame pep rally.
"I'm so excited for my first pep rally as a Saint Mary's student. I think this football season is going to be much better than last one," freshman Madison Thatcher said.
Ferguson agreed, adding Saint Mary's integration into Notre Dame's athletic tradition helped build better relations between the schools.
"I think it's really great that Saint Mary's supports Notre Dame in their athletic tradition," she said.
Friday afternoon the SMC student body will be invited to walk over to the rally from the Welcome Center.
