Whatever happened to the great Team Spirit and Super Fans I seen at football games and the start of basketball season?
When Heritage and Swan Valley played the first game of the season against each other it was a great atmosphere at Heritage. Many students from Swan Valley made the trip over to cheer on their team. It was loud at times and the student sections egged each other on (In a fun Way). They were loud every time a player had to shoot at the free-throw line. That made me smile at times thinking the students were having a good time, and the players knew their fans cared.
But, as each week went on I noticed a trend that was growing out of control. The student sections were dwindling in size! Where were they? What where they doing on game night? It didn’t matter if the schools had a poor team or a great team. The students were not coming to cheer on their teams anymore. No more painted faces, no more Green Men (you know who you are) and more loud student sections.
Where had their team spirit gone? Didn’t they care if their teams won? What about bragging right with cross-town rivals, didn’t they matter anymore?
During football season I noticed the same trend, but not nearly as much. The smaller schools also seemed to support their teams more. I know their stadiums are smaller, but not that much. Those smaller schools FILLED their bleachers most of the time. I would have thought that since it is nice and warm in the gymnasiums that the kids would go to get out of the house. That was not the case.
With winter sports over and the start of spring sports next week I am sure things will be the same as last year. very few students cheering on their teams. Baseball? hardly: softball? nope, girls soccer? doubt it, maybe lacrosse? don’t think so. Then what? why don’t I see painted faces and big crowds.
I challenge every school to try to outdo each other showing team spirit this spring. Put on your school colors and attend any game you can and cheer on the athletes. Of course I will post photos of any super fans I see at the games.
I’ll see you at the game!