By Catherine Laroche
If anyone was to see University of Louisville communication and sport marketing sophomore Robert Stuppy on campus, they would probably recognize him as the cheerleader that gets the thousands of Cardinal football fans pumped up during pre-game festivities.
As the end of football season approaches and Rutgers University strolls into town, Stuppy looks back at his collegiate cheerleading career and prepares for a season-ending performance on the microphone for possibly the last time.
Q. When did you start the tradition of getting the crowd pumped at football games (on the mic)?
A. A cheerleader has always done the mic before the game. I just feel like I’m the first one that has taken pride in doing it. Part of me is actually convinced that I make the slightest bit of difference in the outcome of the game. They hand me that mic and I just let whatever I feel come out.
Q. What has been your favorite game since you started cheering for U of L?
A. My favorite game has to be two years ago when we played “The U” and Miami thought it would be a great idea to stomp on our Cardinal bird at the 50-yard line.
Q. What is the best part about being a U of L cheerleader?
A. The best part of being a Louisville cheerleader for me is game day. It’s one thing to get to win the national championships, those will come, but getting to see an icon like Pitino walking his bench, being directly involved with the pre-game for football and finding out that Papa John’s [Cardinal] Stadium is now the No. 25 toughest place to play, those things I take pride in, for me, are the best part about Louisville cheerleading. That, and the appreciation that I receive from the fans.
Q. What has been the best experience you’ve had since cheering at U of L?
A. My best experience is getting to actually go to a school like Louisville. I just can’t help but think sometimes that if it was not for my ability to cheer, would I really get to be at a school like this? There’s that – oh and my other favorite experience is being a part of the most successful collegiate co-ed cheerleading squad ever, and being a part of the dynasty that has won a national championship for the past six years.
Q. What’s it like cheering for a losing team this year?
A. Football has been rough, I’m not going to lie; expectations were high, very understandable though. Has it made my job harder? A little. We could be [the University of] Notre Dame, so I guess things could be much worse. Hey, we’re in a transitional year, we’re going to be great. People just need to realize this, and look forward to the things to come.
Q. How do you get yourself pumped up before games?
A. I just get in my zone like any other athlete does before he does his or her thing. I get focused and imagine the roar of 44,000 people on a Saturday afternoon and when those goose bumps hit that’s when I’m ready to go.
Q. If you could change one thing about Cardinal football what would it be?
A. If I could change Cardinal football, it would be only one thing: I would try and play. I don’t even mean like Saturdays either, I’d actually rather keep doing what I do on Saturdays. But if I could just practice and get to put the pads on one more time, it would be the coolest thing ever. Those boys have done a good job this year, despite what the critics say.
Q. Do you have anything special planned for the Rutgers’ game?
A. I have been waiting for this moment since they played spoiler last year and ruined our trip to the national championship. I’m not going to lie, this one is personal for me. I hate Rutgers. It’s senior night, its black out night, it’s the last time number 12 is taking his home field. Believe me, the stage is set. It’s going to be a special night before I even say anything. I’m just looking to try and be the thing that is remembered three weeks after that night, believe me everyone: it is going to be epic.
