The Impact of the Student Section

Emily King and Courtney D Ambrosio

September 14th, Wauconda vs Grant – Theme: Western – Varsity Score: 27 – 24

Starting late August, Wauconda High School’s Football Team began their season. For football games, Spirit Club organizes different themes for students to coordinate their outfits to, as a fun way of showing their support for the team. People often wear their spirit outfits to school, but you’ll find that almost the entire student section is dressed for the theme at the game. People often wonder if their participation in dressing up and cheering in the student section has any kind of impact on the team, so we asked a few members of the Varsity Football Team their opinions on the student section. 

When asked how the student section motivates the team, Connor Coty shared that “when the student section is hyped, we are hyped. We feed off their energy.” Logan Olson added similarly, “I feel that knowing the school and your friends are there to support you and are in your corner helps motivate the team.” Liam Carney added that “the noise at games, and playing in front of friends and family motivates us all.” Zac Johnson wrote, “Knowing the school is excited for the football game motivates us by showing the team the school is rooting for us,” in response to the question of if the dress up days make you feel supported. We also had a question of if the team can even hear the student section during a game, Logan Olson explained,“I just know that they are supporting me. I habitually tune them out to focus on the game,” and Zac Johnson reassured that “at certain times we can definitely hear the student section and it makes us feel good.” We wondered if the opponent’s student section had any effect on the team,  Zac Johnson wrote, “Hearing our student section go against the opposing teams is awesome, hearing both sides and seeing our whole school fight against theirs motivates us.” Finally, we asked the members what their favorite chant was. Zac Johnson said that his was Let’s get sexy and Na Na Na at the end of the game, which acknowledges their victory. Liam Carney’s is Start the Busses. Connor Coty said that his was Who’s Your Daddy because of the reactions from the opponent’s team and section.

The team’s responses were very insightful as to how they perceive our wonderful student section. It is reassuring to know that the effort the students put into their support is greatly appreciated. We hope everyone’s amazing support for the team continues, and that they have a good, victorious rest of their season and make it to the playoffs.