SICSIC has been pumping up crowds, passing out candy and giving some students the spooks since 1946.

The group was assembled by former University President Frank Prout on Oct. 5, 1946, with a mission to bring more school spirit to campus.

‘President Prout started the group because campus morale was low after World War II,’ said Michael Ginsburg, advisor of SICSIC. ‘He wanted to bring more enthusiasm to campus.’

Secrecy is a major part of the group. The meaning of the name is even a secret. SICSIC members must keep the secrets of the group hidden, as well as their identities until they are unmasked at the end of their senior year.

Bridget Ridal, University alumna, was unmasked as a member of SICSIC last spring.

‘A lot of people do not understand how hard it is and what a big deal it is to us to keep a secret,’ Ridal said. ‘Three years is a long time to keep such an awesome secret.’

Members of SICSIC are part of an exclusive club and close friendships are formed between the members.

‘It was the most rewarding thing I have ever done,’ Ridal said. ‘I was able to be a part of something that few will ever be able to experience. My best memories were with SICSIC.’

To get into the club, students must have at least a 2.5 GPA after their first semester and must have certain qualities the group is looking for.

‘People who are dedicated and ready to be in a spirit crew for three years,’ Ginsburg said. ‘They have fun but not at other’s expense and can spread enthusiasm over campus.’

The group is made up of two seniors, two juniors and two sophomores who are picked at the end of freshman year after the unmasking of the seniors.

The time commitment for members varies by season. During football season, they work about eight hours a week and the rest of the year they work about five hours a week.

Each member does their work behind a different mask that they choose. This year the masks are of Barbara Streisand, Tony Blair, Marilyn Monroe, Eminem, Arnold Schwarzenegger and George Washington.

SICSIC’s goal is to pump up the student body and they do so at sporting events and campus events like the convocation picnic.

‘We like to spread spirit, it’s our favorite,’ Barbara Streisand SICSIC said. ‘We get people excited for the games and let them know about games by putting up signs.’

The SICSIC SEZ signs can be seen on campus at Anderson Arena and the Union getting students ready for big games.

‘If students really like a sign they can take it,’ Ginsburg said. ‘That’s what they are meant for.’

Some students like Ashley Schrock, senior, find SICSIC a little frightening.

‘I think they’re terrifying,’ she said. ‘I’m glad I’m not a small child.’

Even Ridal was also initially scared of SICSIC

‘I was [scared] at first,’ Ridal said. ‘I have even had people six rows behind me at a football game breakdown in tears.’

But past member say some of the fun in being in SICSIC is seeing the fear in some people’s faces.

‘The best is when people are deathly afraid of masks. You feel bad, but you can’t help but somewhat laugh a little,’ RIdal said.

Others like Barbie Miller, junior, are not scared of SICSIC and instead finds them entertaining.

‘I just think they are funny,’ Miller said.

According to Ginsburg, all members volunteer to be in SICSIC and are not paid. People interested in being part of SICSIC must fill out an application and be interviewed.

If it is a good year, Ginsburg says, they will get about 30 applications and about a dozen during a slow year.

‘The interview process is something really only people who go through it know,’ Ridal said. ‘The thing I learned after the interview is not to be nervous. The members of SICSIC are students just like everybody else.’

Editor’s Note: Student interested in being a part of SICSIC should contact the Office of Student Life at Room 301 in the Union. Applications will be available online at SICSIC homepage soon.

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