DUBOSE STAYS AT LEVEL 5: Bulldog mom has a lot of love for town, team
Published 12:05 am Thursday, November 30, 2017
One doesn’t have to search long on Friday nights to spot Bulldog mom and super fan Marrianne Harper Dubose cheering in the stands for Andalusia.
“I grew up here,” Dubose said. “I was born and raised here and I was a 1993 graduate of Andalusia High School and now my children go to school there. My brothers played on the football team and I was a cheerleader when I was in high school. My heart is really big for this school and this town.”
On Friday nights, Dubose can be found standing up and cheering with her sign, shaker and air horn.
“A lot people tell me that they hear me before they see me on Friday nights,” she said. “I don’t do it to put on a show or get attention. I do it for the love that I have for this school. I got that from my parents Diane and Buddy Harper. They were always big supporters of the community.”
Her son, John Harper Dubose, is the second-string quarterback for the Bulldogs.
Dubose said that she and other moms have pulled together a lot to support the Bulldogs.
“My son plays quarterback and has been playing since he started back in the Andalusia Youth Football League,” she said. “As a Bulldog mom, we have gotten together often to make signs, decorate jugs, make bows and other things just to show our support at the school, the pep rallies and at the games.”
Dubose said she felt it was crucial to show support for the team.
“To me, it’s important to let the students, players and coaches know they are supported 100-percent,” Dubose said. “They have a lot on their shoulders and it’s important for us to let them know that we are rallying around them.”
A couple of weeks ago, Dubose approached Skip Enzor with an idea to show the five different levels of Bulldog fans for his weekly playoff-hype video for Andalusia.
Level one fans support the team, but don’t really cheer, Dubose said.
Level two fans start to get involved and occasionally shake a pom-pom.
Level three fans get a little more involved and may actually know someone on the field. They will stand up and cheer at times.
Level four fans start getting edgy. They understand the game and what important plays are. Lower level fans start to move away from level four fans.
Level five fans are the most obnoxious and loudest fans in the stadium and they are happiest when sitting in the “Dog Pound”. Dubose considers herself a level five fan.
“I got the idea from just observing the different types of fans around me during the games,” Dubose said. “There all kinds of different fans that show their support in different ways. I come from a loud family and I’ve learned a lot of about the game from them. I’m always a level five fan. I love football and Andalusia. I enjoy it greatly and it’s even more special with a child on the team.”
Dubose said that she is excited about the Bulldogs’ success on the football field and hopes to see it continue.
“I’ve seen a lot different teams come through Andalusia and not many have gotten the chance to experience the type of success that this current team has,” Dubose said. “I tell my son and his friends to not take this for granted. I’m just excited about the game this week. Go Bulldogs and beat UMS-Wright! I’m excited and you can feel it in the town. This town has wrapped their arms around this school and this team. It’s a great time to be a Bulldog and this is such a great experience for everyone in the community.”