MOON TOWNSHIP – Nearly every year since 2009, the beginning of the academic year at Robert Morris University is kicked off with Bobbymania. Students, both new and returning, could spend the night before classes dancing, playing games, and enjoying the late summer weather on the Nicholson Lawn before finishing the night off with fireworks.
To start off the night, the marching band played their way over to the Nicholson Lawn and performed several songs, including the RMU fight song. Many people would then move towards the dunk tank, which gave them the opportunity to dunk their fellow students if their arm was good enough. There was also a wide selection of inflatables to race their friends through. Towards the middle of the lawn, there was a stage and a DJ who would play music all throughout the night.
As the sun went down, more and more people coalesced around the DJ stage until everyone was singing the songs being played. Eventually, our very own John Tucci got up on stage and delivered his performance of The Village People’s “YMCA”. Then, RMU Chief Experience Officer Dr. John Locke came up on stage and sent out a very thoughtful tribute video to the upcoming seniors in the class of 2025.
I was able to speak to Dr. Locke near the end of Bobbymania.
“Every year it’s an event that’s highly anticipated,” stated Dr. Locke when I asked him about what Bobbymania means to the students. “It’s something that generations of RMU students have been to, one of the guys on the tech team graduated in 2014 and he was excited to come back to Bobbymania.”
When I asked Dr. Locke about messages he had for the upcoming freshmen, he said: “Try everything,” and when I asked about any messages he had for the upcoming seniors, he replied “We love this group of students, they’re an unstoppable group. Their potential is boundless, and we’re going to get to see what that is this year, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
I also asked sophomore Taylor Roberts about Bobbymania, and she said “I love it… It’s always good to get together with friends that you haven’t seen all summer. Always going to love it when Tucci sings the YMCA. Love that guy.”
“It was a step up from last year,” said sophomore Anthony Guisto when asked about his thoughts on Bobbymania.
“RMU always strives to do that and I’m proud of them for that.”
