By Lindsey Goertz/Comm 2360
Come one, come all to the 32nd Annual Crusader Knights at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, in the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor’s Manning Chapel. Crusader Knights is a themed one-night event hosted by UMHB where male students are selected by on campus organizations and residence halls to compete for the title of Mr. Crusader Knight.
“You can just come and have fun and laugh at the guys who will be telling jokes, performing and putting on a show,” said Shane Lobster, one of the assistant directors describing what viewers can expect from the show. This year’s theme is Late Night Show, and will be hosted by fellow UMHB student Nick McDaniel.
This event originally started as an idea to parody the popular UMHB tradition of Miss Mary-Hardin Baylor as a fundraising campaign for the Class of 1994. However, the comedy-based event has since gained popularity and is now its own tradition on campus.
This competition consists of an opening dance number from the contestants, a video-skit to showcase each contestant’s personality and talents, and a runway style segment where the men dress in formal attire. The winner is chosen by a panel based off of their performance during the show, and is dubbed Mr. Crusader Knight by UMHB’s President, Randy O’Rear.
“There is not a part of the show where you’re not going to be entertained,” Kaylyn Wilson, one of the assistant directors commented regarding the show’s environment. “The improv and dances are both so creative and fun. But even just the intros, a relatively small part of the show, is still super creative and just instantly sets the tone for an evening of fun.”
The 15 contestants have been practicing for weeks to put on the best show possible for the audience and have become very close friends in the process. “We have a great group of guys who have really grown closer from this experience, and have formed a bond that will last a lifetime,” Eli Valencia, this year’s Campus Activities Board nominee said about this year’s group of fellow Crusader Knight members.
In addition, there is a backstage team of students who have volunteered their time to make this event enjoyable for the crowd. “As director, I have essentially put together a team of two assistant directors,” Crusader Knights Director Louis Jackson said. “There’s a backstage team, a set design team, there’s a choreographer, tech team, and more. I truly couldn’t do this alone, and I needed people to help me out, and they’ve all come through to help make this show the best it can be.”
When it comes to being a female director within this event, Wilson said, “I felt such an honor to be asked by Louis and to be on a team with both him and Shane. Being a girl going in, I didn’t know girls could direct Crusader Knights, but I have honestly found such a place here in such a wonderful community. These guys are just so kind, but also so fun and just great to be around. I have really found a purpose here.”
The doors to the chapel open at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7 p.m. It is free to attend and does not require a ticket for entry. However, seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early for the best seats. Through the university’s Cru Kids program, UMHB will provide VIP seating to kids who sign up on the UMHB website. It is expected to be an exciting event full of comedy and fun, and as Jackson teased, “A lot of surprises.”
