Fantastic Fans (03-05-07)

For the record, I think that Hill City has the best fans in the state.

At sub-state basketball this week, both our student and adult fans did everything they could to help our teams find their way to the state tournament and we almost succeeded. But regardless of the score, one thing will never change: that the fans love our teams and that our teams love our fans.

It begins with dedication. For some, that meant arriving several hours early in order to find and keep a seat. It meant sitting on hard bleachers night after night, in a hot and crowded gym. It meant never wavering from supporting the teams, the band, the cheerleaders, and the school. It meant acting with class through the referee calls both for and against our beloved Ringnecks.

Overall I think we should all be very proud of how our dedicated fans behaved during the games. Yes, at times our students may have chanted against the opposing team, and at times a Hill City supporter may have booed or cursed, but overall, the behavior of our fans was nothing short of magnificent.

I first became aware that our student pep club was something special at Volleyball sub-state in Oakley. That was the first time I saw our student fans dress in vivid and wildly patriotic costumes, and that was the first time I heard them roar in unison through several well rehearsed chants and cheers.

I saw the same culture of love at league basketball and again at sub-state. The students came out attired in shirts and jerseys and socks and hats and wigs and other accessories that shouted Ringneck pride. They were a fanatical, frenzied, and fantastic force of full-court cheering. I have not heard a gym so loud since my K.U. days at Allen Field House.

When we won the semi-final game at the buzzer, and the students rushed the floor, they still had enough courtesy and sense to return to their seats as quickly as they had departed them in order for the teams to shake hands and exit the floor. After each game, they would wait for each teammate to come out of the locker room, where they would adorn their heroes with hugs and handshakes and the gym would be filled with laughter and friendship.

While the results of the championship game were not what we had hoped for, we can be proud of how Hill City was represented by students and adults alike. My perspective was supported by several out-of town fans that passed along to me their general satisfaction with how Hill City hosted this sub-state tournament. The school was clean (thank you Les and Reggie!), the concessions were well stocked and well sold (thank you Christy!), the gates were smoothly operated (thank you Lions club!) and all aspects of the tournament were executed without a hitch (thank you Mr. Stein!). Our soup suppers and hospitality rooms were well attended, and the Booster Club raffles sent home an amazing array of cakes, pies, cookies, and other baked goods with people from far and wide.

Mostly though, I will remember the dedication and amazing performance of our fans. Even after the last game, we held our heads high, and stayed long after the final buzzer to congratulate our players on a successful season and to begin to build them up again for next year.

Because behind every great team is an even greater group of people who love them. I am proud to be the principal of Hill City High School, and I am proud to be part of our fantastic fans!