Gold Side: Cole Broadhead
Gold spirit shines brightly in Cole Broadhead, who is heading into the 2025 College Night season as the sole leader of Gold Side. Only a few times before in College Night history has a side competed with just one leader at the helm, but the Brookwood native is ready for the challenge and eager to lead his side to that coveted GV2.
“Due to the amazing efforts being put in by our cabinet, teams and side as a whole, there isn’t a doubt in my mind that we will not win this season,” he said. “Not to mention we have a few surprises for the side throughout the season, so I cannot wait to reveal those as well.”
During his freshman year at UM, Broadhead was assigned to write a paper for an English class about anything Montevallo-related. He chose College Night, and immediately hit it off with that year’s Gold Side leaders upon reaching out to both sides for interviews.
“Joy Hill was a great personality and informed me about Gold Side without it being overwhelming for a freshman,” he said. “Kensley Sandlin brought me a College Night Centennial book to use for my paper, and she answered every question that I had in great detail. Then the College Night Mixer showed up, and I just felt at home with the Gold Side.”
One of Broadhead’s most fond memories is the 2022 Gold Victory with “The Ballad of the Mississippi River.” Navigating the return of “normal” College Night festivities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic presented obstacles like lost rehearsal time, limited in-person meetings and masking on stage — but Broadhead mainly remembers the committed and optimistic atmosphere on Gold Side.
“It was so ethereal because everyone had the same motivation,” he said. “They had the same determination to do things. The energy that year was so positive and dedicated to the hard work of creating a good show. It really made the win feel seven times better.”
Broadhead, an environmental science major with a theater minor, has served Gold Side as assistant director, assistant lyricist, assistant and head of props, assistant technical director and a cast member in the past three productions. His love for the side and positive experience throughout the years inspired him to run for leader.
“I had previous leadership experience in Greek Life and high school from JROTC,” he said. “I feel like the skills that I have are beneficial to the side to be an effective leader.”
With his co-leader having stepped down just before the start of the season, Broadhead will rely on his leadership abilities to guide the team on his own.
“I have to think more about delegating my time into each area equally and really trust my cabinet to get everything done in a smooth and timely manner,” he said. “So far they have done a phenomenal job, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
As always, he is looking forward to Sweet Saturday and sharing the love of College Night with new, old and loyal Golds.
“We get to see the alumni in full force and witness that overwhelming love, support and appreciation for the continuation of an amazing college tradition,” he said.
On campus, Broadhead is an Orientation Leader, a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda, president of the Interfraternity Council and a candidate for Mr. Montevallo 2025. Looking past College Night, the senior would like to turn his passion for wildlife into a career one day. Post-graduation, he wants to work at the Birmingham Zoo as a kingdom manager and eventually earn private licensing to handle, care and showcase endangered and exotic animals.
Reflecting on his time on the bricks, Broadhead says, “I think of being at Montevallo more like a montage. I will think back to one memory, and it always leads to another and then another, and all the memories of love and support that come with it — even being low and down and then having your friends to rely on. There’s so many different opportunities and a unique experience that a smaller, more close-knit school can give.”
Purple Side: Madeline Drain-Dorsey and Troy McMullen
Teamwork makes the dream work for Purple Side leaders Madeline Drain-Dorsey and Troy McMullen, who are eager to lead their side to a Purple Victory this year. Life as a leader can be hectic and overwhelming, but the two are thankful to have each other to lean on through the good and the bad.
“One of the best things about us together is that she’s really good in certain areas that I am not well versed in, and the same could be said for me,” McMullen said. “We both have been learning from each other, as well as learning from the job itself.”
Drain-Dorsey, a social work major, came to UM already knowing a little bit about each side — her mother was a Purple when she was a student here. But the Fairhope native kept an open mind going into her freshman year and was able to get a feel for both sides at the annual College Night Mixer.
“Ultimately, I felt so much more comfortable on Purple Side,” she said. “I had some really good conversations, and I just felt like I fit there and that those were the group of people that I could see myself becoming really good friends with.”
Because of her interest in behind-the-scenes work, Drain-Dorsey previously served on the Purple Cabinet as secretary, tickets, eligibility and Cowtails. She also worked on the production book team and Side Space. Her passion for Purple Side and desire to give back led her to run for leader.
“I felt like I had lots to offer and a lot of knowledge, especially on the background side of things and the business side,” she said.
McMullen, a BFA musical theatre major, came to UM with the intention of going Gold. However, after getting closer to Purple musical theater majors and feeling a sense of family and community from them, they had a change of plans.
“Some of my closest people now are Purples, and I wouldn’t have those connections had I never played College Night,” the Huntsville native said. “Even some people that I’m in theatre with weren’t close to me until College Night, and now we’re close because of College Night while also getting to do our major and department shows together.”
McMullen’s lifelong passion for theatre and singing led them to being cast in the past three Purple Side productions. They have also served as head choreographer, dance captain, assistant costume designer and head props. They hadn’t seriously considered running for leader but were encouraged by other side members to give it a shot.
“I told people that if I get nominated, I’ll accept it and I’ll run,” McMullen said. “Then if the side wants me, the side wants me, but if the side doesn’t want me, then that’s understandable. Purple Side will make the decision that they feel is best for them. And I ended up being one of those decisions.”
Next week, both sides will gather in front of Farmer Hall for sign raising, the College Night event that McMullen most looks forward to each year.
“It sets the tone for the rest of the season,” they said. “We find out who all is involved with each side’s productions, and we get to see a sneak peek about what the productions will be like. It’s exciting because I think it gets everyone on campus interested to an extent.”
Drain-Dorsey favors the College Night Mixer, saying “For all the freshmen, transfers and other people who haven’t been involved before, it’s their first time really getting to know both sides, meeting everyone and learning more about what makes each side our side. On our end, it’s one of the first times that we get to start getting back in the swing of things. It restarts the season in a way.”
Outside of College Night, Drain-Dorsey is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta and Social Work Club. She has applied to graduate schools and is looking forward to seeing what doors her degree can open, but will always fondly remember her time at UM and on Purple Side.
“Whenever we’re in it and working hard on getting the win for our side, I’ll have a moment where I look around and think, ‘This is where I was meant to be,’” she said. “College Night is such a unique Montevallo experience, and I’m so glad that I’m here.”
McMullen stays busy on campus with theatre and would like to continue performing post-graduation, possibly even moving to New York City in the fall — but first, of course, they want a PV.
“I’m looking forward to showing everyone, both on campus and those deciding to come onto our campus, what Purple Side is about and all of the awesome things that we have planned,” they said. “Because it’s going to be really cool.”
