The Rocket

Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Focus

Media Credit: Nate Daymut (Left to right) 1st Lt. Matt Hackett, Cadet 2nd Lt. Michael Botjer and Cadet 2nd Lt. Bradlee Spudic man the cannon at the football game. [Click to enlarge]

The Slippery Rock football team scores, cheerleaders cheer, the crowd goes wild and cannons are fired to celebrate the touchdown.

But who is behind firing the cannons? Instead of random students volunteering for the job, members of the ROTC have been setting off the cannons for at least the last 20 years.

"Can you think of any better group on campus for this task?" asked Captain Stefan Bandas, the ROTC's Scholarship and Incentives Officer.

Even though having to shoot off the cannon isn't a job that the ROTC members are necessarily required to take part in Bandas said "it is a coveted position and it isn't too hard to find volunteers."

Along with shooting off the cannons after SRU touchdowns at football games, the ROTC members also participate in color guard, which is presenting the colors and help work in the concession stands.

They are also involved with the parade during Homecoming Week.

The number of ROTC members at each event varies from game to game, however, Bandas said the IUP game tomorrow and the Homecoming Game will be more crowded and will require more help.

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