UW men’s basketball head coach Larry Shyatt reacts during the Jan. 21, 2012, game against Colorado State University in Laramie. Shyatt asked the ASUW senate for assistance in increasing student attendance at this season’s games.
The Associated Students of the University of Wyoming voted to push a bill for the purchase of rally towels for an upcoming football game at Tuesday’s senate meeting.
Senate approved the $1,225 purchase for 500 towels with one vote against the bill. The towels will have the UW athletics and ASUW logos, but will also promote National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the slogan “Bronco Bustin’, Cancer Crushin.”
The promotion is a joint venture between UW Athletics and ASUW, with each purchasing 500 towels to distribute at the game. They will be given away at the nationally televised Oct. 27 football game against Boise State University.
The money will come from the ASUW reserve fund, which is currently $121,307.51 above the ceiling. Sen. Brody Tate and ASUW adviser Helen Alatorre said the senate has money to spend.
The senate voted to decide on the bill in the same session as the first reading, suspending the rule requiring the second and third reading to occur at a later meeting.
Some senators voiced doubts on the merit of using ASUW dollars for rally towels.
“Athletics received a huge student fee increase. They don’t need our help on this. Personally, I think we can find a better use than on towels,” said Sen. Joshua Messer. “I have not ever had a single constituent come to me and say ‘I would really like a rally towel.’”
Most senators were in favor of the towel purchase. One senator said it would reflect poorly on ASUW to deny these funds because ASUW had already been in talks with UW Athletics.
ASUW Vice President Brett Kahler said that the logo was not yet on the towels and not to judge the athletic department without seeing a line-item budget.
The bill passed 28-1.
In other business, UW men’s basketball coach Larry Shyatt made an impassioned plea to ASUW for support. The coach said he was looking for any and all ideas on how to get more students to the games.
“I don’t know what there is that’s going on in Laramie, Wyo., on or off campus in November, December, January and February between 7 and 8:30. It’s indoors across the street from 13,000 students,” Shyatt said.
He said was certain students were not studying at that time.
“I’m guaranteeing them 75 degrees, no matter what it is outside,” Shyatt said.
He said he also is guaranteeing the opportunity for UW students to make it as miserable as they want for the other team.
Shyatt said wants his players to feel supported by the student body and when they don’t, “It’s not right.”
“If I could buy 10,000 mannequins and put ‘em in the stands, I would for these guys,” Shyatt said.
