Halftime during Saturday's football game against the University of Richmond offered an opportunity for Elon student-athletes to honor Elon's newly inaugurated president and to announced the results of the Honor President Book Drive.
Halftime during Saturday’s Elon football game against the University of Richmond offered an opportunity for student-athletes and the Phoenix Club to show their appreciation for President Connie Ledoux Book, who was inaugurated at Elon’s ninth president on Thursday.
The drive, launched in the days leading up to President Book’s inauguration, was an opportunity for donors to support the university and in turn local schools, with students of all ages benefitting from the generosity of the Elon community. Each of the books that will be donated will include a sticker noting that the gift was made in honor of President Book’s inauguration.
During halftime, President Book took the field to applause as the Elon community continued its celebration of her official installation as Elon’s first female president. She was presented with a framed football jersey bearing her name and the number 9 as well as a custom Elon necklace.
In a special video from the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, student-athletes from across a range of sports offered words of welcome and congratulations to President Book.
Each athlete talked about why they are proud to be Elon student-athletes. Among the reasons were the bonds they form with teammates, the chance to be part of a rich athletic tradition at Elon and the opportunity to take part in programs such as study abroad.
For its halftime show, Elon’s Fire of the Carolinas marching band performed songs picked out by President Book — “I Love Rock and Roll” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, “Freezeframe” by the J. Geils Band, “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield and the theme to the movie “Rocky.”