Sanctus Artem’s banner that welcomed attendees to the event
JOSHUA REICHARD / THE QUADRANGLE
Joshua Reichard , Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor / Asst. Social Media Editor
Manhattan University (MU) hosted its annual fall pep rally, Manhattan Madness, this past Thursday. While the event focuses on MU’s Division I basketball teams, many student arts and entertainment organizations play an important role in building school spirit and creating an exciting atmosphere for the event, bringing together many members of the campus community across disciplines and interests, including athletes, musicians, graphic designers and any students who want to feel more integrated with MU.
From the pep band’s live music to Sanctus Artem’s new annual Manhattan Madness banner design event, students had many opportunities to contribute creatively to the tradition and expand the event’s focus past only athletics.
JAYDEN GONZALEZ / THE QUADRANGLE
The Quadrangle spoke to Jose Arroyo, a senior electrical engineering major and Pep Band member, about the event.
“I feel like this school in general has a really big appreciation for the Pep Band,” Arroyo said. “We have a lot of students who are actively engaging with us, [and] we engage with the students as well.”
Arroyo added that the Pep Band’s role in the event extends past playing live music.
“The thing about playing live music is we’re not just music,” Arroyo said. “We’re also a part of the student body, and we bring a whole other type of energy to the crowd and to the actual atmosphere.”
The Quadrangle also spoke to McKenna Baker, a junior psychology major and the president of pep band. Baker added that preparing for Manhattan Madness can be time-consuming for the band, especially this year as the event was held earlier than usual.
“I feel like preparing for Manhattan Madness is a lot different than any other game or any performance because we do have a time crunch,” Baker said. “So I would say it’s pretty difficult, especially because we only had three weeks this year to prepare”
The Pep Band also plays at home-based basketball games throughout the year. Baker finds the time commitment for the event and for the regular season basketball games rewarding; however, adding that the group enjoys what they do.
“We have so much fun, and we enjoy what we do,” Baker said. “It’s worth it being there for two hours and then having the games two to three times a week.”
Antoine Orr, assistant director for recreation & wellness, spoke to The Quadrangle about the Pep Band’s involvement in the event, and how the many groups that perform in front of the school shape the experience of Manhattan Madness.
“There’s a lot to be said for people who perform in front of crowds,” Orr said. “If you’re a student at this school and you see a [performer], or someone in pep band, you see someone not being afraid to shine in front of other people.”
Orr added that seeing students participate in the event can inspire others to get involved and build confidence among the students.
“I think these groups visually stimulate everyone, and it allows students to say, ‘I can see myself doing that’,” Orr said. “It’s a huge confidence booster.”
MU’s art club, Sanctus Artem, also got involved with the festivities. This is the second year they have created a banner for the event, which hangs by the entrance to Draddy Gymnasium, welcoming attendees.
The Quadrangle spoke to Denise Robles, a junior digital media art major and Sanctus Artem’s vice president, about the process of creating the banner and continuing the tradition for the second year in a row.
“Last year was our first time making a banner, and we really wanted to continue the tradition where our club makes a banner for [Manhattan Madness] every year,” Robles said. “We like involving all the [members], not just our [executive] board. We try to make it an event so people can come and help out if they want to be a part of Manhattan Madness in some sort of way.”
Ben Rosado, a sophomore digital media art major and one of Sanctus Artem’s social media coordinators, added that the banner reinforces the inclusivity of the event, and that it exists for all students.
“Having a banner made by students that aren’t all necessarily athletes shows that Manhattan Madness is an event for the entire community,” Rosado said.
The Quadrangle also spoke to Nicole Brosnan, director of Student Engagement. Brosnan hopes that the campus community recognizes the effort student organizations put into the event.
“I hope they recognize how much time, effort, and dedication goes into what [the groups] do,” Brosnan said. “I just hope that people really recognize the amount of time and dedication that it takes on top of being a student.”