Students walking past the University Center this fall have been greeted by sign draped around the roaring bear statue, standing around 12 feet tall, just outside of the University Center when there is a home football game.
The posters, which appear to be created by the Mercer Athletics marketing department, have become a daily tradition throughout football season and into Homecoming week. Mercer Athletics did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
“I think the signs made a lot of people excited for Hoco and the events that come with it,” Kalleigh Hartzog ‘29 said, referencing Homecoming and its annual festivities.
Among other messages this season, "Two things I’m proud to be: An American and a Mercer Bear,” and “I heard Beyonce is performing at the game tomorrow,” were popular among Mercer students, and they could often be seen stopping in front of the statue on their way to the UC. The posters gained momentum as students shared photos on social media platforms.
Many students said they first noticed the signs midseason, either when walking across campus or seeing them online. What began as a form of promotion grew into something students anticipated each morning as football season marched along toward Homecoming week.
The signs often contributed to the Y2K theme for this year’s Homecoming, aligning with movie nights, the fashion shows and lip sync battle, and other student activities throughout the week.
“I think they looked fitting for the theme," Shelby Gamis '28 said. "They did a very good job designing and making the signs have a 2000s theme."
They also helped shape the atmosphere of homecoming season by adding to school spirit and campus energy. Throughout the week, the posters became one of several small touches that added to the themed environment on campus.
“I do think it’s important to hype up students and encourage them to come to games. A good crowd brings energy, gives us a real home-field advantage and builds school spirit,” Mercer football linebacker Drew Clare ‘26 said, speaking about the atmosphere that home games build and the role students play in that energy.
“They make me feel like our student body actually cares about the games, which means a lot as a player,” Clare said, adding that this kind of attention “gets people talking and helps build excitement for football season.”
As homecoming week came to an end, the posters continued to draw attention around the University Center, carrying the same mix of humor and spirit that first caught students’ interest earlier in the season.
