What makes a good student section? (editorial)
More stories from Bella Byus
The Carlisle Crazies taunt the — during the boys basketball game against South Western during the Carlisle Classic tournament.
Over the years, it’s become a regular notion to encourage our CHS student athletes through the well-known student section, the Carlisle Crazies. But what makes the Crazies effective?
It takes a lot of dedication to become a great student section so we’re going to go behind the scenes and see how it all comes together.
A good student section not only takes your average screaming but it takes many other things also. Senior Maddie Wargins, one of the leaders of the Crazies, said, “ I’d say a good student section is a lot of enthusiasm, a decent size turnout, good cheers, and to be supportive of the teams.”
Carlisle High School won the Pennlive student section showdown in 2015. The Thundering Herd that year got almost one hundred thousand votes on the Pennlive website for being the best student section in the area. To win this award, they had to show loyalty and heart, not only in their cheers or by bringing the stadium or gym alive, but by bringing the community together.
Fans know that every sporting event that occurs with a Carlisle team involved will be spirited. Senior Eric Harris, Wargin’s co-leader for the Crazies, said, “A good student section requires lots of people, cooperation, consistency, constant noise, uniformity and loudness.”
There have been many nights of student section attire starting with your common ‘blackout’ or ‘whiteout’ but when it comes down to certain games, Carlisle doesn’t hold back, constantly yelling and going all out for a particular theme.
For example, games versus our rival, Cumberland Valley, always attract a strong showing from the Crazies. Each time we play CV, the student section pulls together in different themes, including camo and particular colors. The sections are nagging at one another’s necks for who has the loudest cheers. While it’s not clear if this support is a major factor, the boys basketball team did win our last game against CV.
“One thing that makes a good student section is when everyone in the student section is wearing the really fun theme for the game that has been picked,” said by a CHS freshman, Angeleah Christopher.
No matter if the night ends with a fantastic win or a dreadful loss, there is no killing the pride of The Thundering Herd. The boys basketball team will take the court tonight at 7:30pm and the Crazies will be there, decked out in red, white and blue.
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Harry Wendelken • Mar 24, 2017 at 8:36 am
I for one hate it when they try and put a lid on the Student Section. It gets wild sometimes, but that’s part of the point.
Cara Eschenmann • Mar 16, 2017 at 10:22 am
This is a great article. I love being a part of the crazies. I was not able to attend too many basketball games because I was on the girl’s team, but the ones that I did, were a ton of fun. School pride and spirit are crucial to any student section.
Andrew B • Mar 7, 2017 at 2:12 pm
Nice article that takes a good look at the proud history of the Crazies. Nice use of interviews!