Proud Mercer Bear- Forever and Ever

The whole country knows about Mercer now- and got a lot of priceless moments courtesy of our win over Duke. Everything from Anthony White Jr doing the Chapelle Robot:

 

 

 

To Kevin Canevari’s “Nae Nae”:

 

 

Even the guy who bet Roddy White of the Falcons that Mercer would win- and White didn’t hold up his end of the “bet” (I still think he’s a jackass for not holding up his end but whatevs):

 

 

To an amazing Mercer Administration that went above and beyond the call of duty to get, first, six bus loads of students to the Duke game and then TEN for the Tennessee game- by getting donations so that students only had to pay $25.

 

And to the students who, at the end of our loss to Tennessee, showed what kind of a class act Mercer University is by giving a standing ovation to the players- who also received a standing ovation from their home on campus, where I was:

” Mercer’s fans reaction to the loss was perfect as well. They gave the team a standing ovation and applauded. In response the team turned and clapped in thanks.”- For The Win

USA Today Sports Images

 

 

Let me tell you a little bit about how far we have come since I first came to Mercer…

When I was a freshman- we didn’t have the University Center. We had good ol Porter Gym with- as I recall- no air conditioning.

College Hill Corridor? Didn’t exist. But it did come from the minds of Mercer students- and the University- Mercer University- gave them the tools to make it happen.

Mercer Maniacs? Ah- no. We weren’t that great about sticking around for any games, until the UC was built. And then… eh yeah. Maybe. And let me tell you, the city of Macon at large sure hadn’t bought in yet.

 

I say all of this to let you know: Mercer is a place where dreams DO come true.

We have been placed on a national stage like none other before. Which is great because now everyone who wants to know why Mercer and Macon are so great can know for themselves.

If you want to go to a university where you can truly make a difference and grow- this is the place for you. I say this as someone who didn’t fully appreciate what she was given when admitted as a student in the 2001 freshman class. I would leave Mercer and come back, really just because I missed Macon and my friends. And I hit the speed bump again and would return only through the encouragement of others. And this past fall, 12 years after I first enrolled, I would graduate. This spring I started my quest to be a Double Bear through the Masters of Organizartional Leadership program.

Mercer has my heart in a way that no other place can. I’m so proud to know that our fans and our team gave it their all- that those watching in Macon would stay until the very end and give a standing ovation that our team couldn’t immediately see.

 

To the players: you really made a case for what a group of seniors can do in this game. Jake, to me you are an inspiration, six years is amazing to keep at this when so many would have bailed. Daniel Coursey- you may not know this, but a friend on Facebook told a story about seeing you on campus last year and just what a stand up guy you are. All of you- all of you- have brought Macon together in a way that I haven’t seen and brings me to tears. You did what no politicians could have hoped to do.

I won’t lie- it was disappointing. But gosh almighty, guess what?

We get to do it again next year.

And until then- we have baseball. And football. Lacrosse. Softball. We have the Townsend School of Music. We have academics. Our Mercer spirit and pride will never live or die with the passing of any game or event.

And you know what? It looks like Mercer has earned a permanent place in the heart of the world.

 

Love to my Bears!

 

Molly

Love, Molly Kate

Molly is a communications professor, parent, Southern culture commentator, and social media marketing maven. She is also a freelance writer who has worked with a variety of publications and online magazines including Bourbon & Boots, Paste Magazine, Macon Magazine, the 11th Hour, Macon Food & Culture Magazine, and as the Digital Content Editor for The Southern Weekend.

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