Steven Murillo
Staff Writer
If you have been out supporting your local Idaho State University athletics lately, you’ve probably seen the infamous campus character known as the super fan.
The super fan, perhaps more commonly known as Ross Cunningham, has been attending games at ISU for over ten years.
Cunningham began his practice of supporting teams by utilizing fancy gear, face paint and spirited antics when he was in high school. When he came to ISU he was happy to continue the tradition.
The energy he brings to games is hard to ignore.
Cunningham became a student at ISU in 2007 and graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in history. He has taken his art of spirit to a higher level each year and is having more fun than ever.
This is not just any regular student, fan or friend of ISU athletics. This individual has set a personal standard to rarely miss a game for years on end.
Attending soccer, volleyball, football, basketball, track and field, rugby and softball on a consistent basis, it is likely that Cunningham has attended some of your matches if you participate in athletics at ISU. It is his passion to be a positive influence on his hometown teams in person.
Cunningham’s original inspiration to be a super fan started outside of Idaho and in one of the biggest sports cultures in America.
“Where I’m from, Ohio State Football is a huge thing. In Ohio everyone goes nuts there. There’s no such thing as general admission, because you have to get your tickets months or years in advance,” explained Cunningham. “I’m from that Big Ten culture where everyone lives and dies with their team. I would dress up and go nuts at the Buckeye games and then I just carried it on over to college.”
Cunningham brings laughs and spirit while directing crowds to bring out their best.
“When I first stepped out with the gear and face paint, the coaches and athletes loved it and were extremely enthusiastic with me,” said Cunningham. “But for other fans, it took a while for people to warm up to me, I’ll leave it at that.”
Cunningham said he had his “fair share of complaints” during his early years, a time he said he was more energetic and wound up.
“Now I’m a lot more laid back,” said Cunningham. “I would really yell myself hoarse the entire game in the early days. People would say, ‘Oh boy, there’s that kid running the flag again.’ Some would raise eyebrows over me, but now it’s nice to have people warmed up to me.”
Outside of ISU athletics and the ISU community, Cunningham is easily recognizable throughout the area.
“People will greet me at stores and on campus and everywhere and ask me how the football game went,” said Cunningham, “and I don’t even know who they are but it’s fun.”
Cunningham has seen more games than any average fan. He has been a part of many historic moments for ISU athletics.
Describing his favorite game, Cunningham said, “Without a doubt it was the Women’s Soccer Big Sky Championship game against University of Montana Grizzlies. Everyone was there. It went double overtime and then to penalty kicks. It was just so awesome.”
He continued, “I remember storming the field with everyone as soon as Sheridan Hapsic made that final save. We all rushed and there were around two thousand people attending that day. It was emotional and everyone was standing the whole game, it was a madhouse, and I cried my eyes out when we won.”
Cunningham may be there to support his teams, but he oftentimes ends up distracting opposing teams with his boisterous antics. However, Cunningham said he likes to keep it friendly and stated he doesn’t want to support the environment of a “snake pit,” because then “it’s just a bunch of fans being jerks.”
“Opposing teams really get a kick out of me. You’d be surprised, but they think the teasing is hilarious and I’ve made friends with players and teams from all throughout the conference,” said Cunningham. “They say, ‘can we just take you back with us? We could use you out in Portland,’ or wherever. They think it’s so funny, and teams like Northern Colorado even send me a box of shirts every year.”
Another accomplishment of Cunningham was not only to support but to play with the highly successful ISU rugby club.
“I played three years with Rugby. They would sub me in and I would go play in the scrum with all the big guys. It was one of my favorite times ever,” said Cunningham. “I really enjoyed the camaraderie and it felt like another family for me. You would go out and get knocked around for 80 minutes and then go hang out with each other for the weekend.”
The next time you’re out supporting ISU at athletic events, if you happen to see a super fan with a European kilt and marching band jacket having all sorts of fun and supporting ISU teams, don’t be shy and support him right back.
“The Bengal” Staff Photographer Jessica Kaschmitter contributed to this article.
