ULTRA FANS: SOUTHEAST GENERATES FAITHFUL TEAM OF SUPPORTERS

Ron and Charlotte Herr plan their lives around the schedule of events at Southeast Missouri State University.

The Herrs are among top fans of the university's sports teams and academic programs.

"We're a part of the fanatic group, a real strong group who supports the university," said Ron Herr.

Charlotte Herr said, "We really schedule our lives around the university."

Ron Herr added: "We get a lot of enjoyment out of it. In the fall our social schedule revolves around football games. As we go into the basketball season, we try to work the other things we do around the games. This is our entertainment."

The university hopes to make more converts today as it welcomes visitors from the community to its campus. The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce University Relations Committee is hosting the event from 1:30-4 p.m.

Jim Biundo and Pat Zellmer, event co-chairmen, said several aspects of the university will be highlighted, including industrial technology labs, nursing, KRCU National Public Radio, student financial aid, Kent Library, and the University Museum. In addition, there will be a number of other exhibits at various places on campus.

"If you are going to be part of the group, you ought to support the group," Ron Herr said.

Ron Herr came to Southeast in 1978 as commander of the Air Force ROTC. He now works as adviser and part-time professor in the College of Business. Charlotte Herr works at Step-Up Inc.

"We enjoy being part of the SEMO Foundation, putting part of our paychecks back into the university," he said.

"We go to the plays and we do a couple of things the international students sponsor," Charlotte Herr said.

But mostly the couple follow sports.

"We have not missed a football or basketball game since we've been here 13 years, except for maybe one or two," he said.

"We believe in the student-athlete concept real strongly," Ron Herr said. "We enjoy the students. Plus, boosters and fans at the games are a lot of fun to be around."

They have traveled to Massachusetts for basketball playoff games. One time a group of 35 fans rented a bus and drove to Florida to watch a basketball game; they arrived in time to see the game and then drove back to Cape Girardeau.

"Even I don't believe we did this," Charlotte Herr said.

"Our presence is usually known at the games," Ron Herr said. "We yell a lot."

Charlotte Herr added: "The doctor told me I had nodules on my throat. I asked what causes that. He said singing or hollering too much. I do not sing."

"Our car is red," Ron Herr said. "If you look at either one of our closets, you see a lot of red."

Charlotte Herr clarified: "The only color shirts my husband has in his closet are red."

"We're excited about the Ohio Valley Conference and excited about being in Division 1," Ron Herr said of Southeast's move this year from National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II.

"We are excited now that Southeast has golf and tennis teams," he said. The Herrs went to watch a university golf tournament this fall.

"We don't catch everything we would like to; with volleyball and gymnastics we have trouble fitting it all in," Ron Herr said.

He said other fans are even more dedicated.

Loy Welker heads Southeast's Booster Club, a group that raised $640,000 this year for athletic scholarships. Said Welker: "I think its very rewarding to work with the university, and I love sports. I make all the games, rain or shine, win or lose. I want to see the university grow and get bigger and better for everyone."

Welker said the booster club's main goal is to provide scholarships for student athletes.

"That's the main reason why I do it to help provide scholarships. A lot of the young men and women who end up with a scholarship couldn't afford to go to school without that help. Athletics is one way to get their education.

"It seems once you get involved it snowballs," Welker said. "We try to do everything we can to support the university. We've all got red cars and red shirts and black caps."

Marvin Rosengarten, director of athletic development, said the booster club started in 1952 as kind of an elite association for businessmen. The club opened its doors to a wider membership in 1979. That year the club had 200 members and collected about $35,000. In 13 years it has grown to 1,004 members.

Rosengarten said the group represents a wide variety of people and families. "We have tremendous membership in Sikeston and Jackson as well as in Cape Girardeau," he said. "And we have members just about everywhere in the state.

"Since we have become more of an `everybody' club we have scheduled a lot of tailgate parties and dinners," said Rosengarten. "We take bus trips to games and host our annual booster barbecue. We have really grown in service and we have a lot of fun."

Southeast Executive Vice President Robert Foster said, "Athletics are exciting and capture the headlines, but the private giving really shows the support for this university." Foster is helping coordinate Southeast's $25 million capital campaign. The campaign has passed the $23 million mark.

"In spite of the fact of the recession and the slowdown of the economy, that hasn't stopped people from giving, one iota," Foster said.

In fact, many of the showcase programs on campus the finance portfolio class, the industrial technology labs, the nursing department, the corporate television station, and the University Museum have been made possible through private donations.

"Sure we have had a few big gifts, but a great number of small gifts really makes it possible for us to go over $23 million," Foster said.

When people dip into their pockets, Foster said, that's a clear sign of support. "Clearly, the people feel ownership in the university, graduates and non-graduates alike. They want us to have an excellent program and think it's important to this community."

Southeast supporters show their dedication right down to the license plates on their cars.

The special Southeast plates have been available for a year. Over 450 people have indicated interest in having Southeast license plates by paying $25 for authorization to get the plates. Not all those people have actually gotten the plates yet, said Melanie Murray, director of annual giving at Southeast.

The $25 fee paid to get authorization for the plates is used for student scholarships.

In addition to paying Southeast for the authorization, individuals must pay the license bureau another $35 for the plates. Those purchasing the plates may also choose a personalized message for the plates. The plates on one of the Herrs' vehicles read SEMO-U.

"The license plates generate a lot of interest, wherever we go," said Charlotte Herr. "We have been offered a lot of money for that license plate, but I don't think anyone can ever meet my price."