VCU Rowdy Rams

The Rowdy Rams of Virginia Commonwealth University are the student supporter group for the VCU Rams. They are known for their vocal and creative support during VCU Rams men's basketball games.
History
The group began during the 2002-2003 basketball season when a group of VCU Pep Band members and other students began coordinating cheers together and taking road trips to away games. The following year, the Rowdy Rams procured funding from the SGA and sponsorship from VCU’s Athletic Department, solidifying themselves as an official organization. In 2013, the Rowdy Rams won the second annual Naismith Student Section of the year award beating out 158 other schools. Shaka Smart, the coach of the VCU Rams men's basketball team went on to say ""We have the best students and fans in the country, and we are thrilled to now have national recognition of what we have always known."
The Peppas
The official Pep band of the VCU Rams is known as The Peppas. The Peppas won the Final Four Battle of the Bands when the VCU Rams men's basketball team reached the . A CD was released during the 2011-12 VCU Rams men's basketball team season.
Noted Events
Shakaville
The first ever "Shakaville" was formed in preparation for the rematch of the between the Butler Bulldogs and the VCU Rams. The Butler Bulldogs, ranked 20th nationally, were the second ever ranked opponent to enter the Stuart C. Siegel Center. Nearly 50 students camped out in front of the Stuart C. Siegel Center in tents, with some even camping out two nights ahead of time to get the first seats.
Other noted events
On November 21, 2009, the 17th ranked Oklahoma Sooners came to the Stuart C. Siegel Center as the first ever ranked team to enter the building. The excitement for this game was high so four college roommates successfully gathered 21 students to paint themselves gold from head to toe spelling out VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH! The VCU Rams pulled off the upset, beating the Oklahoma Sooners 82-69.
Songs
*Rock n' Roll part II (The Hey Song) - VCU students along with the fans of the arena sing "V-C-U - Let's go VCU" go with the Peppas and then sing it a cappella when the timeout is over and play begins again.
*War song - With only a drum beat, students begin jumping up and down in beat and then sing "You don't wanna go to war, with the Rams, don't start no STUFF won't be no STUFF".
*Requiem for a Dream - The band started playing this song as a compliment to the opening sequence of VCU Rams men's basketball home games. Students yell a war cry halfway through the song.
Chants
*VCU shooting free throws - VCU students chant "WHOOSH! V! C! U! GO! RAMS! GO!" if a free throw is made.
*After winning the game - With about a minute to play, if the game is well in hand (more than a 10 point lead), it has become tradition for students to pull out their keys and shake them in the air (to signal "warm up the bus" or "drive home safely").
*Old Dominion University - When beating rival, the Old Dominion Monarchs, students chant "64 East! 64 East!" because that is the direction they have to travel when leaving Stuart C. Siegel Center.
*University of Richmond - When beating rival, the Richmond Spiders, students highlight the difference between the public school vs private school tuition. Students chanted "Warm up the Benz!" (In reference to the high cost to go to University of Richmond).
Supporter Banner
Before tip-off of every home game for the VCU Rams men's basketball team, students present a large banner similar to a European soccer tifo that reads "Havoc lives here," acknowledging the name of Shaka Smart's defense, "HAVOC." The banner covers most of the student section on the east end of the Stuart C. Siegel Center.
Noted fans
*Pav - Chris Crowley, the leader of the VCU Rowdy Rams is nicknamed "Pav" in reference to Pavarotti because of being a large, bearded tenor. He is identified by his infamous pair of plush Ram horns he wears on his head during every game. He was a student manager for the team under Head Coach Mack McCarthy in 2001. After McCarthy left and Jeff Capel was promoted from assistant coach to head coach, Crowley continued to work for the first two years of Capel's tenure.
Official Student Club
The Rowdy Rams are a branch of the Ram Athletic Fund that is aimed towards the current students at VCU. They display both loyalty and support towards each one of VCU’s sports programs. Membership costs $25 per academic year and sold out for the 2012-13 VCU Rams men's basketball team with 2,000 student memberships.
References

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See Also

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