UND Fan Luncheons and Pep Rallies connecting on campus

First luncheon, pep rally of 2023-24 athletics season kicks off at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, in UND’s Memorial Union

This year, which the University has proclaimed the “Year of Connection,” UND Athletics and the UND Booster Board are doing their part to bring the campus and community together.

It was announced recently that many of this year’s UND Fan Luncheons and Pep Rallies will take place in the heart of campus at the UND Memorial Union, in an attempt to make them more accessible to the campus community and the general public. The first luncheon/pep rally at the Memorial Union is set for this week, Friday, Sept. 9. All are welcome.

In all, there will be eight luncheons/pep rallies staged in the Memorial Union during the 2023-24 Fighting Hawks Athletics season. Other traditional locations are the Ralph Engelstad Arena and the Alerus Center, two home venues for Fighting Hawks Athletics.

The UND Fan Luncheons and Pep Rallies are sponsored by the UND Booster Board.

On Friday, doors will open at 11:30 a.m., in the second floor ballrooms of the Memorial Union. The first fan luncheon will feature a baked-potato bar with chili and all the fixings, with water and lemonade for refreshments. Price is $15/plate (cash or check only, payable to UND Booster Board). The pep rally will follow the luncheon, around the Memorial Union staircase and fireplace, to get set for this week’s UND athletics events. The events will be hosted this week by UND Fighting Hawks play-by-play commentator and UND alumnus Brian Shawn. He will be joined by members of the Potato Bowl USA Committee, UND head football coach Kyle “Bubba” Schweigert, soccer head coach Chris Logan and volleyball head coach Jesse Tupac, all of whom have home contests this week.

The UND Pride of the North Band, Cheer Team and Dance Team also will be on hand to rally the crowd to the sounds of the UND Fight Song.

UND Fan Luncheons and Pep Rallies are open to all UND Fighting Hawks fans — students, staff, faculty and the entire community.

Parking

The fourth and fifth floors of the UND parking ramp, connected via pedestrian tunnel to the Memorial Union, will be open and free for the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Future events

The following are other UND Fan Luncheons and Pep Rallies slated to take place at the Memorial Union this athletics season:

• Oct. 6
• Oct .13
• Oct. 27
• Nov. 17
• Dec. 8
• Jan. 26
• March 1

Go Hawks!