A new student organization created by the Athletic Department called The Red Sea Elite will allow true Bradley athletic fans to shine this fall.
The Red Sea Elite has been established with the goal to motivate and inspire students to attend and support Bradley athletics events said Jeff Reckamp, a freshman civil engineer major and president of the Red Sea Elite.
“BU students overall are very apathetic toward Bradley teams,” he said. “Students who do attend events haven’t been cheering for the team and with this organization we are trying to get more students involved.”
Director of Student Activities Michelle Whited said this student organization is necessary to get students excited about athletics.
“We seem to be lacking the ability to get students excited about anything on campus,” she said. “Having a student group be responsible for getting students excited about athletics makes sense.”
Athletics Assistant Director of Marketing Jacob Miller, approached Reckamp along with several other students with the idea of creating an organization to encourage school spirit. Together they collaboratively came up with the Red Sea Elite.
Membership to the Red Sea Elite is offered to all students with a $50 membership fee. Members will receive men’s basketball season tickets with reserved seats in the front of the student section, a Red Sea Elite T-Shirt and exclusive viewing parties for away games.
Whited said she is concerned about the price but feels that within time it will be justified.
“I think that the membership is a little pricey,” she said. “But there are a bunch of benefits that come with it, and for those true sports fans $50 is not that bad.”
Freshman international business major Ben Nelson said he plans to joins the Red Sea Elite and is looking forward to the benefits.
“Becoming a member of the Red Sea Elite will give me tickets to the games and will allow me to sit with people who care as much about the game as you do and will be emotional with you as well,” he said.
Students who join will receive a plastic membership card, resembling that of a Student ID card. With that card Red Sea Elites will be able gain points by swiping into any ticketed Bradley sporting event.
At the end of the year, point leaders will be rewarded with an exclusive party. The method of a point system is to encourage students to attend events Reckamp said.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I hope that it does fulfill its purpose. I hope it goes well. I want this to be something that I can come back as an alum and be proud of.”
Memberships go on sale today at the Student Activities office and will be available in the fall as well.
Whited said for those who choose not to join the Red Sea Elite, regular 2010-2011 basketball season tickets will still be available to students for a low price.
“Students will be able to join the organization at any time,” Reckamp said. “But you get the most out of it if you join now because you will have more opportunities to gain points.”
