The Troy Messenger

Troy fans push to pack the stands for first home gameexamples

There’s a new mission for Trojan fans – Operation: 30,000.

Recent Troy University graduate Rhett Griffith is heading up an effort to pack the stands for the Trojans’ first home game of the 2012 season.

“Troy hasn’t lost a first home opener since Regan was in office,” Griffith said. “And this could very well be the toughest conference game all season.”

The Trojans kick-off against Lousiana-Lafayette at 6 p.m. Saturday and Griffith’s goal is to get as many Trojan fans in the stand as possible. That means using GoTroyTrojans.com, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook to get the word out. Griffith is calling his push “Operation: 30,000.”

“I feel like the fans and the best band in the land can be the twelfth man and really influence the outcome of the game,” Griffith said.

Words getting out fast, Griffith said, noting he’s pleased with the tremendous response and media attention since the effort began about two weeks ago. In about a week’s time, about 650 people on Facebook have pledged to be at the game.

“It’s a push to get our first-ever sellout in Veterans Memorial Stadium,” Griffith said.

And Griffith isn’t alone in his effort to attract as many fans as possible on World Wide Trojan Pride day. He said there’s a laundry list of people that deserve credit, including Clif Lusk, Jr., a sophomore trumpet player in the Sound of the South; Clif Lusk who works in University Relations; and Gus King, a Troy supporter who donated funds toward yard signs that will be placed all around campus.

“Some football players have said in the past that when they come out of the helmet and see fans in the seats it motivates them and encourages them,” Griffith said.

“If we can all work together and get a bunch of fans out here, I think we could really make a difference.”