The year is 2001. Six passionate Fighting Bee fans jump in a van and head two and a half hours west on I-80 to support the St. Ambrose football team in a game against Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. As they arrive at the stadium, they are immediately struck by the raucous student section, and a simple thought crosses their minds: "We can do the same thing.”
Weeks later, The Swarm was born.
“It came together very quickly,” recalls Paul Thompson ’02, a founding member of The Swarm and current member of the St. Ambrose Board of Trustees. “It was definitely a grassroots kind of thing.”
Thompson and his friends began to organize student sections at games and worked with then-athletic director and current basketball coach, Ray Shovlain, to produce and sell t-shirts. They created an experience around athletic events to encourage more attendance and participation from their peers.
“It was just a lot of fun in and around the sporting events,” Thompson says. “Like for basketball games, we had a couch that we procured somewhere, I have no idea where, but we raffled off for people to be able to sit on the couch at the basketball games at the end of the court.”
The Revival
Since Thompson graduated, The Swarm has weathered many peaks and valleys. Matt Ardaugh ’26 recalls a pep rally in his first year at St. Ambrose, where students attempted to revive The Swarm.
“There was a really big kick-off in the ballroom – 150 people at it. They were talking about giveaways and theme nights. That never happened,” Ardaugh says.
Now a senior and president of the Student Government Association, Ardaugh and Sarah Wertz ’26, president of Campus Activities Board, are ready to fuel the resurgence of The Swarm.
“We want students to be able to come to St. Ambrose and feel like they’re part of something, not just going to classes and living the routine life of being a college student, but rather, they’re committed and connected to being an Ambrosian,” Ardaugh says. “My big goal this year is that I don’t want students in their dorm rooms just sitting around doing nothing. I want them on campus, knowing about events that are going on – The Swarm is our voice to achieve this.”
Wertz feels equally passionate about this project. The exercise science major wants to create more opportunities on campus for her peers to make meaningful memories and connections that will last a lifetime.
“When the energy is high at games, it makes the whole school feel more alive,” Wertz says. “It also helps students feel seen and valued, whether they’re athletes, leaders, or just looking for a way to be involved. When students look back on college, these are the moments they’ll remember.”
The Shirt
A key component of this revival is the sale of Swarm t-shirts. Jason Richter, assistant vice president for student services and engagement, who is supporting Ardaugh and Wertz in their efforts to bring back The Swarm, enlisted the help of the university’s communications and marketing office to develop a design.
The shirt is simple: a white tee with the words “The Swarm” featured in SAU blue. It’s reminiscent of the original Swarm shirts that featured the same color scheme. But the 2025 version brings creativity to the shirt with a simple yet powerful detail – a swarm of bees creates the words.
“The design of the 2025 Swarm shirt captures the spirit of many individuals coming together to create a greater whole,” describes Zach O’Connell, graphic design specialist. “The wordmark on the front of the shirt is formed by a swarm of hand-drawn bees in a loose style that conveys motion and competitive energy.”
The sale of these shirts will fund Swarm events – tailgates, theme nights, and prizes for halftime competitions – like they did when Thompson originally founded The Swarm nearly 25 years ago.
“I want to see Swarm events that are creative and full of energy,” Wertz says. “The ultimate goal is to rebuild school pride and give students a reason to show up for each other. I want to see a full student section, not just during homecoming, but at all games.”
Selling the shirt also gives alumni like Thompson a way to reconnect with the school and support current students in their efforts to make the most of their college experience. Nostalgia is a reason, Arduagh says, they stuck with the original name – The Swarm – instead of creating something new.
“I think that's a big connection that we're striving for in terms of keeping that old school tradition,” Audraugh says. “That's what Ambrose is about, blending the new and the old together. And The Swarm is a well-established tradition amongst the alumni.”
Ardaugh’s and Wertz’s hope is for every student on campus to own The Swarm shirt. Thompson hopes to see alumni, parents, and anyone with a love for St. Ambrose to invest in a shirt as well.
“The more we can integrate it into the school apparel and school spirit the more it will become something to rally around,” Thompson says. “The Swarm becomes something we’re all part of. It’s not something that’s separate.”
Building a lasting legacy
As the 2025-26 school year begins at St. Ambrose, The Swarm will be a joint effort between SGA and CAB. Ardaugh and Wertz will shepherd the project under the guidance of Richter. They hope to identify students suited to take over the group and establish The Swarm as an independent club on campus.
“We’re looking at creating a group that can live beyond our graduation years,” Ardaugh said. “My vision is that when you take your first step on campus as a St. Ambrose student, you become a member of The Swarm.”
The Swarm is already planning signature events for soccer, basketball, and volleyball games. They’ll cheer on runners at Crowe Creek Park on Sept. 13 for cross country’s Fighting Bee Invitational, and are looking forward to Sept. 20, when they can cheer on the football team under the lights at Jack and Pat Bush Stadium.
“It’s been missing from SAU for too long,” Wertz says as The Swarm gears up for the fall semester, “and I’m excited to help bring it back and make it better than ever. I am proud to be involved in this, and I hope it becomes something students are excited to join for years to come.”
A white and blue swarm is building. Just listen for the buzz.
Ready to be part of The Swarm? Get your shirt here.
