Always decked out in school colors and often serving as the loudest fans in the stands, Green Army is a spirit group that attends Sacramento State sports games.

Green Army started as the Green Sting in the spring of 2008, and it started off with the Associated Students, Inc. After that it was a measure that was passed from the students to athletics. In the spring of 2009, Green Army was officially born.

Green Army chooses five to seven home games to attend each semester, with the exception of football, where they attend every home game.

This football season, the attendance was high with nearly 4,000 students per game.

Adam C. Primas, the director of Marketing/Promotions & Spirit Groups for Sac State Athletics, says he believes in the purpose of Green Army, which is “igniting school spirit through Hornet Athletics.”

This season, Green Army went to two men’s soccer games against Pacific on Sept. 18 and UC Irvine on Oct. 8, and the Hornets won both games. Green Army also attended the women’s soccer game on Sept. 25 against Northern Arizona, and the Hornets won 1-0.

Fourth-year student Haley Loheit, a criminal justice major, has been a Green Army intern since her second year at Sac State and is happy she chose to join and be a part of the Green Army.

“With Sac State being such a commuter school and being from Sacramento myself, I just didn’t want to go to class and then home,” Loheit said. “I had just stopped playing softball and didn’t know what to do with my free time, so when I heard about interning with Green Army, I became one and never regretted it.”

Primas said he thinks Sac State students benefit Green Army.

“It’s a group of spirit and I guess that converse is true as well,” Primas said. “Students are able to come out to games and just have fun and create that school spirit, so I think that the students in Green Army just help the university to be spirited.”

Green Army Coordinator Katy Richardson said her favorite part about Green Army is having students support their fellow classmates.

“We get students to come out to all the athletic events so football, basketball, baseball, soccer, track, gymnastics, and we support every sport,” Richardson said. “We go out and support every sport and we are supporting the athletes and we are having students support the athletes.”

Green Army also gives out prizes and has a raffle at the home games. During the men’s basketball game against Holy Names on Nov. 20, there was a wing-eating competition put on by Wingstop at half time.

“We are in charge of helping to promote school spirit and athletics,” Loheit said. “We go to certain games and will run half time promos to get more students involved and pumped up.”

Loheit said her favorite part of Green Army is working with everyone, and she always has a good time with the squad.

The Green Army typically has about 25 interns a semester. An intern supports the Green Army and attends all games with the Green Army Organization.

“We are always front and center leading the cheers and trying to get the crowd going,” Loheit said. “Constantly giving away prizes from electronics to gift cards to Green Army gear. Specifically, a job that I have is sending out the weekly Green Army emails to the student body that informs those who have signed up to hear about upcoming Green Army events.”

Richardson started off as a Green Army intern herself and is happy that she is able to give back to the students and the program.

“Working with the students, I have about 20 interns that I manage, and to turn it around and help them get their start in sports is really, really rewarding,” Richardson said. “Seeing the players excited when they win a game knowing that we had a role in helping by cheering them on.”

Loheit says she enjoys being an intern for Green Army and is happy she has had this opportunity.

“It’s a great way to get involved on campus and meet people; it gives you experiences in all aspects.” Loheit said.