In previous years the varsity girls’ home soccer games had a booming student section alongside family support. Now, the stands are practically empty with only few students spectating and participating in the student section. This issue can be found across numerous sports; softball, tennis, track, golf, and even junior varsity segments of popular sports like football and baseball.
The student sections’ purpose is to unite our school and show support for the West Henderson community while cheering for their success. The atmosphere it creates should be contagious to the crowd. Vocal support is always better than no support.
There could be a number of factors that can contribute to the lack of a student section. For example, winter sports like Varsity Football and Varsity Basketball receive an enormous student section. What do they do differently? Or really- what do we do differently? The school highlights the events of these games more, whether on the instagram page or school announcements. Spirit weeks are created in support of them, game schedules are made available to everyone, and songs are played during class change to continue their winning streak. In addition, other sports don’t have the requirements to harbor an audience of large size. Tennis has the courts but not the stands for a student section; Golf games can’t be home; Swimming meets aren’t home.
Some solutions may include: SGA promoting these sport events with spirit weeks and further acknowledgement on social media and in-school announcements, and having the clubs themselves advocate for further support.
When interviewing three student athletes at West Henderson about this issue all three agreed that this is an issue at West Henderson. Kian Holden, a senior member of the swim, track, and cross country community feels as though this issue is prevalent in our school, he says, “Sure,” thank you Kian. Sofie Ruzich, another senior member of the same swim, track, and cross country teams feels as though this issue is prevalent in our school, she says, “yes,” thank you Sofie. Haley Littrell, a senior member of the softball team says, “yes,” she does recognize this problem at West Henderson.
In all, the best thing we can do to improve the student section is to get the students themselves out to support! You can make a difference. Enjoy a game and take your friends! Who knows, you might end up having a great time.
