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Tuesday October 7, 2008 5:00 PM

They're Back!


Red Rowdies promising to be redder and rowdier than ever before

Jason Friedman
Rockets.com Staff Writer

HOUSTON - Visiting teams won't want to hear this.

As if dealing with a loaded Rockets' roster weren't trouble enough, opponents also face the prospect of confronting the craziest group of Red Rowdies ever assembled.

Skeptical? Just ask Rockets promotions coordinator - and Red Rowdy ringleader - Chrislord Templonuevo.

"This group is going to be more intense and crazier than groups in the past, just because of the team we have on the floor and the amount of support we have from the team on the floor," says Templonuevo. "Ron Artest loves the Rowdies. He used to despise coming to Toyota Center to play and he actually told me that he’s so happy to play with us on his side. So I relayed that message to the rowdies and now they’re just in love with Ron Artest."

Fifty new Rowdies were selected during an arduous audition process in which hundreds of Houstonians went all out in an effort to impress the judges.

"We actually had an auditioner who put on her registration form that the craziest thing she would do is eat cat food," recalls Templonuevo. "So she actually brought a bag of cat food and ate it during the auditions. How can you not make her a Rowdy?

"But my favorite Rowdy this year is going to be Rowdy Granny. She’s a 62-year old woman and a grandmother who is a diehard Rockets fan. She’s got her Rowdy Granny get-up, she’s willing to come to every single home game and get loud and crazy."

Yao, T-Mac, Artest... and the raucous Red Rowdies. Opponents, consider yourself warned.

Have a question for Rockets.com? Send it to Jason Friedman via email at: jasonf@rocketball.com.