he Ole Miss student section during the fourth quarter of the Idaho game. Photo: Austin McAfee, The Daily Mississippian
The SUTE Movement calls all students to remain in the stands for the entire duration of home football games in order to support the football players and contribute to the team’s success. It began Nov. 9 and will continue until the end of the season.
Will Pepper, a doctoral candidate at Ole Miss and co-founder of the SUTE Movement (pronounced “suit”), said the SUTE motto came from his father, Judge Pepper.
“Judge Pepper only left two games early in his life,” Pepper said. “We remember him leaving two games early: one for a wedding and another because it was so cold that my mother was literally turning blue.”
Pepper said his initiative to urge students to stay for the duration of each football game came after The University of Alabama suspended block seating in its student section due to a perceived mass exodus of its student section.
Pepper said his passion for the effort of the Rebel football team drives his enthusiasm for the initiative. He said because the team sweats blood and tears and gives 110 percent, the fans should give back to the players accordingly.
“The crowd is not just there to get loud when our defense has the opponent pinned on crucial third downs,” he said. “We want our student athletes to know that when they look out into the crowd that those fans are with them for the entire game, no matter the score.”
Will Pepper’s wife and co-founder of the organization Samantha Pepper said she feels equally passionate about the relationship between the game and the fans.
“This is the chance for us to rally fans and prove we are here no matter what the weather is or the score may be,” she said. “The SUTE movement reminds fans everywhere that your team needs you all 60 minutes.”
The co-founders believe Ole Miss needs a positive approach to keeping its fans at the game until the end, unlike the approach taken by The University of Alabama.
While the stadium does not record statistics of fan or student retention during games, the average home crowd attendance has been about 60,330 this year, with the matchup against LSU marking the highest in attendance this season at 61,160.
Assistant Athletics Director Jason List said the department does recognize the decrease in the stands at halftime during games.
“This happens especially for nonconference games or games that are not close in score,” he said.
Will Pepper believes that fan attendance past halftime could have larger effects on the university than some may be aware of.
“There are statistics out there that show how much people spend at sporting events making sure a fan stays until the end, which helps the stadium vendors and stadium’s revenue,” he said. “It could also help when it comes down to deciding what bowl we go to because those sponsors will be looking at the crowds to see how many Rebel fans are there.”
SUTE also receives support from the Associated Student Body Senate. Amish Sharma, senior accounting major and director of athletics for ASB, said ASB will hand out stickers in the Grove and the stadium to help gain support for the movement.
Sharma believes students are vital to the game because of the influence they can exercise on the momentum of the players and the atmosphere of the stadium. He said many fans, including students themselves, do not realize the impact they have.
“Not only does our support mean a lot to the players and coaches, but it also means a lot to the recruits,” he said. “With students leaving games early at other schools, Ole Miss students and the fan base as a whole have a chance to make a statement showing why we are the best fans in the country.”
Sharma believes the movement is set up for success at its early stages. However, he said the need for unanimous action from both fans and students is essential.
“I think this movement could be very effective, but we need everyone’s support to make it successful,” he said.
Others within the athletics department support the SUTE Movement.
“We want our stadium full until the game’s conclusion,” Assistant Athletics Director Kyle Campbell said. “It’s great that a group of fans want to be the leaders in this initiative.”
Samantha Pepper said fans should give back to the football players for their efforts.
“The players are out giving 100 percent every play for 60 minutes,” she said. “We should give them 100 percent back in support for those 60 minutes. As long as they are on the field, we are in the stands.”
To volunteer to help the movement or to find out more, visit SUTE’s official website at SUTEMovement.org or follow them on Facebook or Twitter at facebook.com/SUTEMovement and @SUTE_UP.
— Amina Al Sherif
aalsher@go.olemiss.edu
