A student section is a group of student fans who support their school’s athletic teams at sporting events. They are known for being the most visible and vocal sections in the crowd as well as having a good time. However this year some students at Hastings High feel as if they have been limited of supporting athletic teams.
“Things changed, we couldn’t do the same things as last year and I couldn’t even wave my flag in the air,” senior Jessica Zach said.
It all began during the volleyball season, when students felt that they were not being allowed to cheer for the team like students in previous years have.
“We need to focus on cheering for our team,” Activities Director Tracy Douglas said.
Douglas, on the other hand, believes that some students were trying to distract the server or other players to prevent them from doing their best.
“It was good for most of the times, but distracting the players is too much,” Douglas said.
So how exactly should a positive student section look? Douglas encourages students to participate in the themes, which she thinks have been good, and to cheer the team on to victory appropriately without being disrespectful to the other team.
“We need to welcome the other teams to HHS positively,” Douglas said.
As far as what students can and cannot do, Douglas says that students should not shout out any players names or yell “air ball” at any games. She also would not like to see objects thrown onto the floor nor at the players.
“It’s not about you can’t do this or you can’t do that, it’s about keeping it positive,” Douglas said.
Zach, Spirit Council President, thinks the student section should focus more on the good things the team does and not to send any negativity to the other team.
Some members of the student crowds from volleyball season say the limitations imposed at those games will keep them from coming back. However, Douglas still wants them to attend because it is important to the team. Zach agrees with Douglas that things need to stay positive.
“I do not participate in any of that [being negative toward the other team]. I support the team without being negative,” Zach said.
Douglas and Zach both agree that there is indeed a way to support the Tigers and have a good time with friends without being negative to the opposing team.
