Standing (and shining) out
Group of four students dress up in paint and glitter for home football games
There might not be many students who know the names of Abby Ponder, Daniel LaLonde, Josh Rich, and Margo Kollman, but those who have been to a Liberty football game have probably seen them.
Paint up — One of the “Glitter Guys” prepares for the game. Photo credit: Courtney Russo
Since the fall of 2012, these four students have brought creativity to the atmosphere of Flames football games by wearing glitter from head to toe.
“Originally, it was Josh (Rich)’s idea,” LaLonde said. “He always comes up with these ridiculous ideas that he wants to get done, and they’re always insane. There was never a chance of us doing them.”
According to LaLonde, the glitter idea was first conjured by football fans at Florida State University. After it became popular at other schools, Rich suggested they start the “glitter guys” at Liberty.
They emailed the students who began the glitter trend at Florida State and received gracious replies with pointers on how to put it on properly. They ran with it and have been getting progressively better at the glitter ritual.
For some of the “Glitter Guys,” it will be their last year glittering up for the games. The bunch has added a few friends who are willing to go through the process of completely covering their bodies with red, white or blue glitter.
With a method that involves acrylic paint, Elmer’s glue and hairspray, each member of the gang takes a total of approximately two hours to get the ideal look.
“It’s just easier to get in early by doing Gillville to paint up in the stadium,” Ponder said. “Sometimes though, it gets too windy, so when you’re blowing the glitter, it goes everywhere instead of where you want it on your body. So that’s why we go to the East Tunnel, and then there is glitter there on the floor for the next
few months.”
Many people have seen these fans in glitter and asked to have their photo taken with them. Though their faces are masked, the glitter guys have definitely built a reputation at the football games with their appearance.
“I think one of my favorite things about it is people’s reaction,” Ponder said. “When we get there, we just start walking down the steps of the stadium, and you just see heads turning and hear gasps. I would probably have the same reaction if I was looking at someone who came in like that.”
They have received recognition from all kinds of people, including President Jerry Falwell and his wife Becki Falwell. They have also been a big hit on social media.
“The glitter guys have a reputation to give the crowd good energy and fire,” Liberty junior Jonathan Gulick said.
The Flames next home game is Oct. 25 against Gardner-Webb, and fans can expect to see a few students there on the front rows at Williams Stadium, reflecting a little more of the sunlight than the average person.
CASTEL is a sports reporter.