Rock Chalk Pioneers!

Crazed basketball fanatcis at my alma mater, Grinnell College, have between now and February to come up with a catchy cheer to chant because Pioneer basketball is going big time, baby!

On February 3, 2005, when ESPN2 will televise, yes nationally televise, a regular-season, Midwest Conference match-up between your Grinnell College Pioneers and the Beloit College Buccaneers.

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As I suggested in the title above, we could borrow the University of Kansas' cheer ("Rock Chalk Jayhawk!") Or maybe we should give props to Grinnell's Iowa roots and change the cheer to "Soil Corn Pioneers!"

Okay so neither rolls off the tongue as easily "Rock Chalk Jayhawk."

Maybe our cheer could be "Our mascot makes sense!" as the Beloit Buccaneers hail from land-locked Beloit, Wisconsin.

Anyway, the game is significant for two reasons. First, I don't know of the last time a regular-season division III game was nationally televised. Secondly, Grinnell will be playing in its new gym (still named Darby Gym) for the first time ever.

First Beloit, then bring on the Tar Heels! We could still use the "Our mascot makes sense" cheer against those guys. Hell, bring on the Illini! I don't care if that mascot has a context, we're ready for the big time so we're ready for them.

"Soil Corn Pioneers!!!"

No word yet if ESPN2, hell ESPN8 for that matter, plans to televise the Grinnell College home track meet this April, but I don't see why they wouldn't want to! Midwest Conference Fever... Catch It!!!