I noticed the Q in the Mailbag regarding Spider Burke, so let's help out the youth.
Spider was a cheerleader in the early 50's. In the 70's, he decided to don his old sweater, pick up a bullhorn, and again roam the track leading cheers. The crowds loved him, but word was, the cheerleaders felt threatened, even though he involved them.
Spider's signature cheers were "the locomotive" where he would chant and pump his arms like a locomotive, and the crowd would follow with "M-I-S-S-O-U-R-I" starting slow then getting faster, followed by "Mizzou RAH, Mizzou RAH, Mizzou RAH, Tigers!" like we cheer between "Every True Son" and "Fight Tiger." Simple, but got the crowd going. When things needed a lift, he would grab the bullhorn, beep it a couple of times, then scream "get up, get up, get up!" then lead a cheer, or start MIZ or the locomotive. He frequently would just announce "Give em hell!" and the crowd would cheer. Or he would get sections to cheer louder in competition.
Spider did nothing exotic. He wore an awesome old Block M sweater, had simple and loud cheers, and talked to the crowd. His energy and enthusiasm was the key.
Spider died in 2010. He had degrees from Mizzou and UMR/Mo S&T, and was a veteran.
http://www.epageflip.net/i/816306-spring-2017-newsletter/1?m4=
Spider was a cheerleader in the early 50's. In the 70's, he decided to don his old sweater, pick up a bullhorn, and again roam the track leading cheers. The crowds loved him, but word was, the cheerleaders felt threatened, even though he involved them.
Spider's signature cheers were "the locomotive" where he would chant and pump his arms like a locomotive, and the crowd would follow with "M-I-S-S-O-U-R-I" starting slow then getting faster, followed by "Mizzou RAH, Mizzou RAH, Mizzou RAH, Tigers!" like we cheer between "Every True Son" and "Fight Tiger." Simple, but got the crowd going. When things needed a lift, he would grab the bullhorn, beep it a couple of times, then scream "get up, get up, get up!" then lead a cheer, or start MIZ or the locomotive. He frequently would just announce "Give em hell!" and the crowd would cheer. Or he would get sections to cheer louder in competition.
Spider did nothing exotic. He wore an awesome old Block M sweater, had simple and loud cheers, and talked to the crowd. His energy and enthusiasm was the key.
Spider died in 2010. He had degrees from Mizzou and UMR/Mo S&T, and was a veteran.
http://www.epageflip.net/i/816306-spring-2017-newsletter/1?m4=
