In the past two years, COVID-19 has had a great impact on everything that people do. From going to work, going to school and even participating in sports. A great number of people have been unable to attend events due to spectator limitations placed on large-scale events. These limitations had a great impact on school sports and the student section who frequently travels to support sports events and their classmates. With restrictions on spectator numbers being lifted for the 2021-2022 school year, the student section has once again begun to look full and colorful like previous years. 

For Do-Crew leader and senior Owen Mick the beginning of basketball season means more support and energy for the boys and girls basketball teams. Mick looks forward to getting involved with his peers and preparing them for an exciting night. 

“I’m really looking forward to everyone going out there and supporting the teams every Tuesday and Friday night,” Mick said. “I love just getting everybody involved with the game all night.”

Along with the transition of sports from football to basketball, the setting also looks a lot different for the student section. The energetic students will move from an outdoor environment at Fischer Field to an indoor one in Ravenscroft Gym. For Mick, this is the biggest difference between basketball and football games. 

“Since we’re in a gym, it’s so much more closed and small,” Mick said. “So the energy is just way different compared to a regular football game which is outside.”

The basketball teams will have an almost guaranteed group of support with the student section alone. However, along with support also comes expectations. Mick hopes that basketball teams are able to win games and work their way to a positive record this season. 

“I definitely want the team to have a winning record,” Mick said. “Everyone works really hard and I know how badly they want to win this year. It’s going to be fun to support them this year.”

With more students venturing out to support their classmates as their season progresses, Mick reflects on the ticket system that was employed last year. The first-come-first-serve system meant that not everyone got the opportunity to support their classmates last year with all of the restrictions. 

“It was really unfortunate that not everyone was able to attend sporting events because of the limits on spectators,” Mick said. “It was first-come-first-serve, and if you were one of the unlucky ones that didn’t get a ticket, you had to see if you could talk someone into giving you theirs. I’m just glad everything has gone back to normal and everyone can go to whatever sporting event they want.”

For newcomers who have never been a part of the student section, Mick encourages everyone to participate in the theme and the chants. 

“Always just dress as the theme and come ready to support,” Mick said. “Just be really energetic the whole time really [because] we got to be loud to support our players.”