Aimee Venott, Dominic Competti and Katie Knipfing display their Miami spirit in front of the Sundial. (Damien Watson | The Miami Student)
If you stroll through the Miami University campus on a Friday this fall semester, don't be surprised to see a sea of red as spirited students don Miami gear in support of the athletic department's new campaign: All-In Fridays.
According to Mike Pearson, assistant athletic director of communication and technology, All-In Fridays is a campaign born out of football Coach Don Treadwell's motto for the team, "All in at all times." The initiative encourages students and staff to wear all red on Fridays.
Brad Bates, director of athletics at Miami University, said he is enthusiastic about All-In Fridays.
"The campaign was really designed to generate campus-wide spirit," Bates said. "Wearing red is a very visual symbol of people's commitment to this university."
According to Bates, All-In Fridays began Aug. 17, where a portion of red could even be seen at Convocation as the incoming first-year class took up the rallying call of the campaign. Bates said he hopes the concept will catch on with all students and staff alike.
"How fun would it be for off-campus and high school students to see waves of red walking across campus to show students' commitment to this great university," Bates said.
Anthony Azama, assistant athletic director of marketing, said that the campaign is not confined to the athletics department.
"The athletics department wanted to find something that goes beyond," Azama said. "I want people to know it's bigger than athletics. It's all about the campus and the community showing this great spirit."
According to Azama and Pearson, Miami President David Hodge and the university's executive council as well as the Oxford Chamber of Commerce are on board with All-In Fridays.
Azama said there are many ways that the word is being spread.
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"We're working with Red Alert to get the word out in residence halls," Azama said. "We also went to RA training. The numbers are growing as far as people who have "liked" our Facebook page and [we plan to] randomly surprise people who wear red on Fridays with coupons and giveaways."
Junior Robert Huey said he supports the new campaign as a way to unify the university.
"All-In Fridays is an easy way for students to show their school spirit," Huey said.
Azama said that All-In Fridays embraces a commitment to Miami spirit across all aspects of campus and community life in Oxford.
"Our goal is just to have everyone embrace the Miami spirit and everything it offers, from the arts to intramurals to AfterDark," Azama said. "We're excited about the teamwork. Who knows? We might even paint this town red!"
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