Bumping into him on campus or chatting with him over dinner in Kimball, you’d probably think that Matt Harper, a sophomore from Los Angeles, is a typical Holy Cross student. Day-to-day, he’s busy trying to decide whether to take up a double major, playing Frisbee, participating in Allies and Extended Orientation.
But when it comes to HC sporting events, Harper paints on a different persona—literally. Meaning, he paints his face or his entire body purple.
How did this purple painting all start?
Harper links it to the school spirit of his freshman year head resident assistant, Drew Pace ’08, who dressed up as an unofficial Crusader. “I came from a high school where school sports pride was really underappreciated,” he says. In contrast, the Holy Cross community has immense support for its athletic teams, and this is something that Harper valued as a sports enthusiast. “When I came to the campus, it just felt right.”
Harper rounded up some friends, five of whom painted their full bodies, and together they made signs to cheer on Holy Cross at the football homecoming in fall 2007. “It was great to get good support for the school in such a big game.”
So far this year, the purple paint hasn’t fully come out. “I don’t want to be ‘that kid,’” says Harper. “I try to only do full body for big games where I know there will be a good showing. I’m not doing it for attention—it’d be awkward if I was the only kid painted purple.” Harper finds that in bigger crowds, the painted-on support is appreciated by Holy Cross fans. For him, purple paint is a way to engage the spirit of the community. “I just really like the idea of camaraderie.”
Harper will be at this weekend’s home-openers. But out of respect for the “Black Out the Hart” event, only his face will be painted his favorite color.
By Alicia Lincoln ’09
Related Information:
Holy Cross to Raise Jerseys of Four Basketball Greats
Team Spirit: The Man Behind the Purple
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