Wesleyan’s student body has played an impactful role in the football team’s success so far, showing up to both home and away games so far this season.
Historically Wesleyan Students pride themselves on embodying the perfect student section, which would include consistent cheering, chanting, and engaging throughout the football game. This role is famously known as the 12th man. The 12th man indirectly provides an extra boost for the football team that is greatly beneficial towards team morale. Senior, Will Ashley states, “I hope to see everyone up and rowdy for the games.” Everyone Will speaks of would include the marching band, cheer squad, and especially the student section. The hope is that these three sections can work together towards accomplishing this special environment.
“Put your phones away and be present in the moment,” says dean of students Josh Smith. What Smith is expressing is the need for students to not just show up but also be engaged in the game. Likewise, Will Ashley says, “In the past many games were dull and sad because of the non-existent engagement of the student section.” Students need to be the voice of the game. The ability to achieve this would be a fully engaging presence in the student section. So, when students attend these games, students need to put their phones away, watch the game, and finally show the Wesleyan Wolf’s pride. I would also encourage fellow peers to keep students accountable for maintaining the rowdy environment.
What completes the student section is the themes. These themes cause creativity and community that raises excitement amongst students. “The USA theme excites me a lot with my ability to wear my patriotic overalls,” Will Ashley excitedly states. Moreover, Maya Okeke says the Hawaiian theme is her favorite. As for Anrai McCullough, he expresses “ the gold theme is what I can’t wait for.” The themes that make up this year’s football season include Hawaiian, Green out, Galaxy, Western, Gold out, USA, Pink out, Neon, Super Heros, and Senior Night. Everyone should match these themes and fully show out in expressing the hype of the Wesleyan school.
These themes help contribute towards community, fun, and provide a reason for many to attend the games. Junior Matthew Simpson states, “Themes help students to gather around one theme and causes the environment to be very fun to play in for the players.” These themes are not just reserved for students but include the players as well. These themes create excitement that brings motivation to many players seeing the unity behind the players back. That being stated, the student section needs to ensure that the themes are executed and not just by a few students, but instead by all. Themes send a message towards opposing teams and prove to many that we are a community.
Seniors Luke LaBoa, Will Wazevich, Brenna Merchant, Andrew Meyer, and Emily Kate Miller cheer on the Wesleyan football team in the student section.
A role that has contributed towards hype is the marching band. Their loud and spirited instruments help uproar the fan sections. “Specifically, after a touchdown the Fight Song is very fun to play for its ability to get the student section hype” current marching band member Anrai exclaimed. The marching band’s halftime performances also highlight Wesleyan Spirit amongst our opposing fans. The Marching Bands importance cannot be stated enough towards their contribution towards the Wesleyan football environment.
Another role that plays in the student section hype is the cheerleaders. “Cheerleaders are the ultimate leaders through chants and conducting the cheers in the game,” says Maya Okeke. This being said, the roles cheerleaders have in the background also proves Maya’s statement. This would include choosing themes and promoting student section attendance which contributes towards the goal of the student section this year. Overall, the cheerleading squad helps impact the Wesleyan environment which is needed towards the student section hype.
As football has already had two games the student section’s hype is looking promising. This was shown with a surprising number of Wesleyan Students showing out to an impactful win against Elbert County. This win promotes momentum which many players hope to fuel their next games. This fuel also should influence the student section as the greater the wins the better the attendance should be for the games. The fuel also hopes to encourage motivation in the student section.
Overall, the student section is looking bright towards accomplishing a memorable year. Through themes, fans, and important roles the path is set before the Wesleyan students. The pending question is whether or not we can become a community that engages through accomplishing the role of the 12th man. This would therefore mean putting the phones away and living in the moment. This moment will not last for long so take advantage of all the chances to create a strong student section.
