NGU’s Bananas bring school spirit to a new level
Laci Jarrell, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Malachi Dodge
“Unique, rambunctious, enthusiastic.” These are the three words that Bananas leader Jonathan Moore used to describe the group.
Moore is a junior sports management major who loves sports and cheering on his friends and classmates. He leads a group of 50 North Greenville University students who are committed to bringing school spirit to NGU athletic events.
The Bananas began as an idea between Moore and his friend Daniel Frick during their freshman year. During the second semester of their freshman year, the two were sitting in science class when Frick lost a bet. His punishment was to audition for the NGU talent show.
Moore said that he felt bad for Frick, so he decided to audition with him. They performed “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson but did not receive a callback. Despite not making the show, they enjoyed the experience and decided to perform the same set at Coffee House.
“Because ‘Upside Down’ is from ‘Curious George,’ we decided to buy banana costumes on Amazon for the effect. We performed and had a great time and that was the Bananas’ debut,” explained Moore.
Moore said “Curious George” was his favorite television show while growing up, so becoming a banana made sense to him.
The first time they brought the Bananas out to a football game was the 2025 season. The home game featured a whiteout theme for the student section, but Moore and Frick decided to stand out by wearing their bright yellow banana costumes instead.
Frick says, “It was electric; the players bought in and it was just fun to be out there and support the team”
At that first home game, there were only two Bananas: Moore and Frick. Now, Moore estimates that about 50 NGU students own banana costumes, and he believes that more could join soon.
According to Moore, the group began gaining more attention after the Chowan football game. Fourteen Bananas stayed for the entire game despite the pouring rain.
Moore said the group’s growth came from consistently showing up to support NGU athletes.
“The initial reaction was nothing crazy, but as we were more consistent with showing up to the games to support the athletes, the greater we were received,” Moore explained.
For Moore, school spirit is a fun way to invest in the NGU community. He believes students who attend the university solely for an education miss out on a large part of what the school had to offer.
Moore says that the entire point of the Bananas is to create something silly that everyone can enjoy. It is supposed to be fun and create a different silly way to support NGU athletics.
For Frick, one of the best parts of being a Banana is the sense of community. Through the group, he has grown closer to Moore and developed friendships with other students.
Starting the Bananas has also given Moore opportunities to apply what he is learning in the classroom. As a sports management major, he is learning about advertising and has been able to put those skills into practice through the group.
Being the founder of the Bananas has also taught Moore the importance of communication in leadership.
He said, “Nobody will show up to games unless there is a good level of communication and accountability.”
Moore wants to create an environment where every Banana feels welcome.
Looking ahead, Moore hopes the group will still be going strong and growing by this time next year. When the Bananas first started, he never imagined that about 50 students would eventually own banana costumes. He has no idea how the Bananas will continue to grow but is excited to see what comes next.
Moore says that now is the perfect time for students to become Bananas. He said the costumes are available on Amazon for about $30.
“Being a Banana is such a cool way to get to know more of the athletes and support them, so there is no reason not to buy a costume and go ahead and join us,” said Moore.
