MMA Chain Gang 2025

The following article was written by James Aldendifer ‘28.

At every Colonels home football game, there is a key group of faculty along the far sideline.  They are the MMA Chain Gang.  They have ten yards of chain stretched between two poles, along with a down marker.  The Chain Gang is on the sideline, marking the yards needed to get a first down and the position of the football as the players work to get first downs and touchdowns. 

The members of the MMA Chain Gang are art instructor Cheryl Morris, Equestrian Coordinator Justin Bethel, Junior ROTC instructor Christopher Scarlet, as well as Engineering and Science instructor Chris Schafer, MMA Class of 1989.  Each member wears a special shirt emblazoned with their individual names and the words “Chain Gang”. 

During football games, the chain is stretched ten yards from the line of scrimmage.  The far end of the chain is where offensive players need to reach for officials to declare a first down.  Mr. Bethel holds one pole, and First Sergeant Scarlet the other.  Ms. Morris assures that the ten-yard chain is taut and in proper position.  Mr. Schafer operates the down marker, positioning it along the ten-yard chain as the ball is moved up and down the field by the offense.   

Ms. Morris says that even though the Chain Gang is working along a sideline of the football field, there have not been any incidents in which members have been run over by players.  She adds that the Chain Gang enjoys representing MMA at home football games, and that each member cares about the team. 

This article was written for the Journalism and Media Production class, fall 2025, taught by George Davison '68. Cadet Aldendifer is a sophomore from Lincoln, Nebraska.