Each time the St. Thomas football team steps on the field at O’Shaughnessy Stadium, it can count on one thing: Caruso’s Crew.

Senior James Downey, the group’s leader, said a lot of preparation goes into a typical gameday morning.

“Home game Saturday for me starts at about 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.,” Downey said. “For the seminary, we have holy hour and Mass. After that, run over to the caf (and) get brunch. Then you run back, get suited up, and then turn it on.”

Football coach Glenn Caruso said he has been impressed with Caruso’s Crew since the first brick was laid.

“It’s grown from humble beginnings. I mean, great things are usually done organically, and they were at our very first game,” Caruso said. “I can go back to games in the last couple years where I think they directly helped towards the win.”

Downey explained that team spirit is reflected through the individualized costumes.

“The construction worker theme came about because I believe at the time the AARC was under construction,” Downey said. “So we had a bunch of construction workers running around. It fit in pretty well at the time, and we’ve just held onto it since then.”

Junior Clayton Forner said the purpose of the Crew is to provide support.

“The goal of Caruso’s Crew is to, one, be enthusiastic, to pump up the home team. Two, to distract the opposing team. And three, just provide a good, wholesome environment for the Tommie family to participate in,” Forner said.

For Downey, the best part of being in the Crew is the excitement.

“Being able to go out, dance around, cheer, scream, yell and look like a fool,” Downey said. “But at the same time, you’re doing it for your brothers on the field.”

Before and after each home game, Caruso shakes hands with all the Caruso’s Crew members to show his appreciation.

“Those guys go out of their way to take time and make sure they support us,” Caruso said. “Unconditional love. And they exemplify that better than anybody.”

Andrew Frentz can be reached at fren2218@stthomas.edu.