Crowd Pumper uppers: exciting the crowd
September 25, 2017
The Crowd Pumper-Uppers, also known as the CPU’s, are a small group of students who energize the crowd, more specifically the student section, at any athletic competitions or rallies. In order to hype up the crowd, they use their strong voices, upbeat personalities, and a variety of props.
“Oh boy, props. We usually destroy two to three trash cans per year. We’ve already destroyed one, I myself did that with a baseball bat and I threw it on the field at Lee’s Summit North whenever we lost. I’ve destroyed two plastic baseball bats so far…the trashcan and then we throw shirts, and then we have flags, and mega phones, which I’ve already broke one this year by smashing it. I threw it in the parking lot after we lost against West,” said senior Logan Daniels, the leader of the CPU’s.
Of course, in order to show off their props, the group needs several places to “perform”. Expanding the reach of the CPU’s by performing at more than just football games helps keep the school spirit through the roof no matter the season. It allows the students to cheer on their school and sports teams all year long.
They typically make an appearance at “pep assemblies, in the gym, parades…at the football games…and basketball games,” said Daniels.
However, there’s no point to the CPU’s unless they’re accomplishing their goal of making the student section go wild. They do several different things in order to cheer up the mass of students. Having and using a thunderous voice is a huge part of being a CPU and pumping up the crowd.
“You gotta get loud, obviously…you just gotta be super outgoing,” said senior Paxton Nicholson.
All CPU’s are meant to be outgoing, and some of them put everything they have into their chants.
“Oh boy…you just gotta, you gotta use your diaphragm, and you just gotta yell as loud as you freaking can. You just gotta scream at people and I mean…they’ll just scream back…you just gotta be big, you gotta be huge,” said Daniels.
Along with shouting, some of the CPU’s prefer to impress the crowd with their special talents.
“People like it when I do flips. I also, you know, yell a lot in my megaphone…I run the flag…you just go wild,” said senior Nate Thurman.
In order to be part of the Crowd Pumper-Uppers, there has to be some sort of motivation to join the group, which varies depending on the person.
“It’s kinda nice being the center of attention,” said Nicholson.
There are also some requirements for being apart of the group.
“First of all, you gotta have school spirit and go to the football games. How are you supposed to be a crowd pumper upper if you don’t support your school?” said Thurman.
When the students eventually make it into the group, some of them experience benefits right away.
“We have a lot of inside jokes already,” said Nicholson.
Other members have different reasons for why they enjoy participating in the group.
“I love being a Crowd Pumper Upper because I love supporting our Panthers, whenever we do win, or lose, no matter what. And I love just going crazy,” said Thurman.
The Crowd Pumper-Uppers is a group who help motivate the crowd and student sections to cheer for their school and sports teams. Without them, the student-filled stands wouldn’t be near as exuberant and lively.
