BU’s very own Cameron ‘the Superfan’ Hughes shares his Olympic experience and some words for BU’s current fan base
If for some reason you did not participate in Frosh Week and you don’t know who Cameron Hughes is or what he does, here’s a little summary. Cam ‘the Superfan’ Hughes is currently a professional sports entertainer who is hired by sports teams all across North America to make some noise and pump up the crowd. Every year during Frosh Week, Cam comes to Bishop’s and tells his story about his journey from his beginnings as a student at Bishop’s University where he wore a watermelon on his head at Gaiter sporting events. His cheering for sports teams and giving away t-shirts have led him to over 800 live events at stadiums and arenas across North America for teams in 22 different leagues. Recently, however, his exploits brought him to the greatest stage of them all, the Olympics. I spoke to Cam, in hopes of getting an idea of what it was like to be in Vancouver, the place all of us wished we could be during those few weeks.
Nick: Give me a little insight from the day you put that watermelon on your head up until the Olympics. How did you get the title ‘Superfan’?
Cam: I’ve been called a lot of things— Superfan, Dancing Guy, Mr. Cheer, T-shirt Guy, and now I go by Ambassador of CHEER. I’m all about bringing people together through CHEERING!
N: How did you feel when you were called up by the Olympic Committee to cheer at hockey games in Vancouver?
C: Greatest honour, thrill and moment of my life. I did 24 games there in 14 days and worked my tail off. It was hard, it was crazy, but it was FUN and to be a Canadian on my home turf…I mean come on!
N: When cheering for professional sports teams, you cheer on the team you are hired to cheer for. At the Olympics however, you had to cheer on every team. How did you stay unbiased at games involving Canada?
C: I tried my best to be unbiased at the Canada games but when most of the crowd is Canadian every time you go crazy you’re really getting them more fired up. I feel I was needed more at the other games.
N: Over 27 million people watched the gold medal men’s game between Canada and the US; yet fewer than 20,000 people were in attendance. Being one of those at the game, can you explain the atmosphere in the building?
C: A defining moment in Canadian sports, culture, history. A who’s who from Canada and USA listeners, 18,500 fans that paid dearly to be there, the most united you could feel to be Canadian!
N: Explain your Olympic experience as a whole.
C: My Olympics were like Groundhog Day meets Yes Man meets Semi-Pro. I had a big routine each day and said YES to all opportunities. I did four 4:30 a.m. interviews, two on the Today Show and two on CTV. I met people from all over the planet; Joe Biden the VP to Barack Obama, Vince Vaughn who called me a good dancer, beautiful women who would get up and dance with me, and a ton of people from Bishop’s and even my hometown. I had pictures taken a few times in the stands, ignited crowds, and just had a blast. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Any wise words from the Ambassador of Cheer to get students fired up for BU games next year?
Opponents should fear coming to Bishop’s. BU is known for it’s amazing spirit and small school atmosphere. As much as school is important, it’s vital to be involved; attending events and getting purple. It builds community, social awareness, bonds and is actually healthy for people to go out and be together. Above all else, GAITER PRIDE is important! This is our school, our team, our friends, our neighbors. Get out and SUPPORT! GAITERS! Keep the tradition alive!
