By Julian De Ocampo ’13 & Roan Enright ’13
THE ROUNDUP

Every army needs its generals.

This fall, the stands at Phoenix Community College stadium swelled with The Red Army, Brophy’s student cheering section. But a select few stood proud at the front, leading the pack through high-energy chants and amplifying the energy through the crowd.

Keaton Leander ’13 and Nate Hoffman ’13 are two of the many who paint their bodies at football games and organize each Red Army affiliated event.

“When you guys go to a football game and see the student section, and you see the guys in front all painted up, those are the Red Army generals,” Hoffman said.

They are just two of the many who crowd the front row each week, cheering, chanting and dancing for the school.

“Keaton along with Nate, along with many others, are absolute super fans … There is a lot of work making sure that everything gets to the game on Friday,” said Mr. Pete Burr ’07

The two self-proclaimed “coordinators of fun” are both Student Council members who help organize events that go beyond just football.

Along with others, they act as student leaders in many Brophy sports cheering sections during basketball and soccer seasons.

Leander’s participation also extends to other aspects of Brophy’s community, such as the organization of dances and events such as the Fine Arts Extravaganza.

He was also quick to point out that although he often paints his chest at the front alongside Hoffman, anybody can be a part of The Red Army.

“It’s not only the Student Council kids up there; it’s the kids who show support every of sport and activity,” Leander said.

Hoffman noted that becoming a leader is not an official title, but rather one based on merit.

“A lot of people think that the generals are a privilege,” Hoffman said. “But instead it is something earned … My advice is to just go to games just see what we have going on, at least the very least it is a social scene.”