The Hurd- Bridging the gap between students and athletics

Published in the Utah Statesman January 7, 2009

As the largest club on campus, the student spirit club, the Hurd, is making some noise.

In its third year, membership in the Hurd has increased from about 750 members in 2006 to almost 1,400 members and counting this year. Megan Darrington, Hurd president/ASUSU spirit chair and junior in public relations, said she and her committee have been working hard to create activities and contests to increase support of USU athletics, including offering a scholarship for the student that shows the most support of USU athletics.

“Hurd was created to enhance student life for USU athletics,” Darrington said. “It gives students the opportunity to get actively involved in USU athletic programs.”

Darrington said the Hurd sponsors weekly coach’s shows during fall semester featuring sports announcer Al Lewis, USU football coach and several football players. Members are encouraged to ask questions and get involved with the show, which also offers free food and giveaways.

Darrington said the Hurd will begin hosting a weekly sports night this semester at the Nelson Fieldhouse. Along with more free food, Darrington said the sports nights will also include games and activities with a USU varsity or club team. These activities will include anything from movie nights to pingpong tournaments to member giveaways. Darrington said the Hurd committee hopes that if students get to know the players better, they will want to see them in action at their games.

“There is more of an incentive to go to games if (students) know the players,” she said. “(Hurd) bridges the gap between student athletes and students in general.”

Beyond the weekly Coach’s Show and sports nights, the Hurd also sponsors tailgating parties, away parties, roadtrips and many free giveaways.

New this year, Darrington said Hurd has also implemented a point system for members to earn a scholarship for supporting USU athletics, especially club teams. Members get points for all the games they attend, and at the end of the year the Hurd member with the most points will receive a scholarship.

“The main motive (for the scholarship) is to get people to go to the games. The point system helps club sports in general,” Darrington said.

She said the goal for the point system is to encourage students to attend games and then get “addicted” to a sport.

Besides many great activities, Hurd members also receive a T-shirt, discount to hockey games and discounts to various businesses in Cache Valley when they join, all included in the yearly $25 fee. Members also earn one year of membership to the Big Blue Club and the USU alumni spirit club every year they are members of Hurd.

Darrington said the Hurd recently showed its power and support of USU athletics at the Utah State vs. BYU basketball game at the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City on Dec. 6. Aggie fans are renowned for their loud and rowdy cheering at games, and members of Hurd are the solid foundation to Aggie fans, she said. The BYU game was no exception, and although Utah State lost, many USU students took the hour and a half drive down to Salt Lake to cheer on their Aggies, Darrington said, including hundreds of Hurd members.

“USU sold all the student tickets (to the BYU game) and over 300 Hurd members were in the first few rows,” Darrington said.

Hurd members were able to purchase the USU vs. BYU tickets early, one of the many “perks” Darrington said not many other students are given.

Darrington, who has been involved in the Hurd since it began in 2006, said about half of the Hurd members are freshmen.

“Joining Hurd is a great way for freshmen to get involved and meet new people and discover what it’s like to be an Aggie,” she said.

However, Darrington said the Hurd is definitely not just for freshmen, but a club that all Aggies can enjoy.

Ryan Baylis, freshman in broadcast journalism, said he joined Hurd because he had been to a USU basketball game in high school and saw how involved and excited Hurd members are at games.

“I joined because I wanted to be more involved in athletics,” Baylis said. “I get to meet tons of people who share the same love for the sports that I do.”

Baylis also said being able to meet the coaches at the coach’s shows and enjoying plenty of free food are added bonuses in being a member of the Hurd.

Ryan Stewart, undeclared business freshman, said he joined because he knew he would be going to all the football games and tailgating parties and he wanted to meet others who were as excited about Aggie athletics as he was.

“I get to meet other people that are really involved, too,” Stewart said. “There are a lot more fun people in the Hurd ... you get way more pumped for athletics. Before games (we) get all decked out. That is probably the best part.”

Stewart also said discounts to things like hockey games and restaurants around Logan are added bonuses for being a member of the student spirit club.

Darrington said it is never too late to sign up for the Hurd. The club has set a goal to have 2,000 members by the end of spring semester.

“It’s not too late to ever sign up,” Darrington said. “There are so many athletic events to attend.”

If students aren’t sure if they want to join, Darrington said students are welcome to come to Hurd events to see if they like the club. She said they also hope members will bring their friends and roommates.

“We always encourage members to bring friends. You get to be involved and meet new people,” she said.

Darrington said she has loved being involved with the Hurd.

“I have an amazing committee and I love being involved with Aggie athletics,” she said.

–karlie.brand@aggiemail.usu.edu