It's game day at Northwest and a renegade group of shirtless, painted students are getting the student section pumped. Believe it or not, this is an official Northwest organization.
Donned in Apple Barrel paint, these painted warriors known as the Shirtless Bearcats, are a prime example of how dedicated Bearcat fans can be.
Since 2005, this group has been a prominent part of Northwest athletics by appearing at games with their shirts off and chests painted in support of the Bearcats. The group has appeared at nearly every football and basketball game since then.
"Our main goal is to get the fans excited at the games," senior Howie Ball said. "We want to promote a positive atmosphere at said events and act as ambassadors for Northwest."
The group's history goes back to the National Championship game in 2005. There, a group of male and female students decided to paint themselves to show support in the Bearcats' biggest game of the season. The following season, the ritual continued.
"We did nearly all the home games and the away games for men and women," senior Scarlet Casey said. "We also traveled to St. Joe and Kansas City for tournaments where the teams did well."
There is a very close bond between all the members of the group when they interact at games. All of them are very close, not just during games, but outside of them as well.
"We all hang out with each other all the time," Casey said. "We go out together, watch games on TV and even room together."
The Shirtless Bearcats also remain very busy when it comes to games. They go to so many games that Casey likes to compare themselves to other college groups that are busy.
"We go to a lot of events together. Usually two a week," Casey said. "That makes us close like athletic teams or choirs."
The group has certainly grown in many ways since 2005.
This past year, the rowdy Bearcat fans were recognized as an official group by Northwest by raising enough money. While this is a huge step in the growing process for the group, it also means they will now have more to deal with.
"It was exciting, but it also means more responsibility," Ball said. "I feel that we have a responsibility to the University with events like homecoming, but that will help us get our name out there."
The Shirtless Bearcats is a name to be taken literally since all of the guys are shirtless with letters painted on their chests. The women are also shirtless, but they wear sports bras. Senior Trudy Stensland was reluctant at first to wear such little clothing.
"At first I was nervous," Stensland said. "But after a while you don't even think about it because you have so much fun."
Like all college organizations, there are always expenses. In the Shirtless Bearcats' case, there are expenses in different things like away tickets, transportation and of course, paint. Casey urged anyone to help the group financially if they can through donations.
The group is also selling T-shirts for $10 a piece in order to raise money. Anyone interested in a shirt should contact Stensland.
According to Casey, the group has received some help from the residence hall directors. Anyone interested in donating should know that they're an organized group.
"Since we are an official student organization, we can accept donations," Casey said. "People can rely on us because we always know who's going to be at a game a week in advance as well as painting designs."
Many students may not take a group whose main objectives are to cheer at a game with their shirts off and paint very seriously. Ball could care less. People should see how organized and committed they are, he said.
"When you put yourself out there like we do, everyone will have their own opinion," Ball said. "We just do what we do and have a good time doing it and people who appreciate that will join."
Support for the group has come from all sides. While it does come from other fans attending the games, it also comes from the athletes themselves. The feedback from some players have been positive and it has provided inspiration for many of them.
"A lot of basketball players thank us," Stensland said. "They told us it gets them more pumped up and it helps get the fans on their feet."
One of the biggest moments in the group's short history was this Family Day. There was a lot of interest in participating with the group and it gave the group more exposure.
"We had 31 people painted for Family Day," Stensland said. "We were able to spell out 'Northwest Missouri State University'."
The Shirtless Bearcats are always looking for new members. If anyone is interested in showing support for Bearcat Athletics, the group is open to anyone who wants to join.
"If you want to be part of the action, just shoot us your name and your 'S' number and we will contact you," Ball said. "We are always excited for new members."
No matter how many members, the Shirtless Bearcats will still be there every game. Their dedication to the Northwest Bearcats runs deep even if their paint only runs skin deep.
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