Getting involved with the student section is one of the best ways for U-High students to show their school spirit, connect with their peers, and create lasting memories. Regardless of the sport, the energy of a packed student section can elevate the game experience for both the players and the fans. However, maintaining high attendance throughout the entire year proves challenging as enthusiasm tends to dwindle after the initial excitement of the fall season.
One of the key issues faced by the U-High student section is declining attendance as the year progresses. Luke Deffenbaugh (12), the spirit stick holder, acknowledged this decline, particularly toward the end of the fall season. “I have noticed a decline in volleyball. There have been some games where hardly any people pop out [come out],” he said. Despite this challenge, Deffenbaugh is determined to keep the student section engaged and has come up with strategies to boost attendance. He suggested preparing signs and organizing chants in advance to energize the crowd. “I feel like if we get more people and prepare better, we can do well and make a bigger impact,” Deffenbaugh explained.
Instagram plays a significant role in keeping students informed about game schedules and themes. Deffenbaugh has worked hard to update the student body on these platforms though he recognizes room for improvement. “Normally, people ask me if there is a game this week or theme, and I always respond. Sometimes I don’t reach out early enough, maybe I can change that,” he said. Through his leadership and effort, Deffenbaugh has tried to encourage participation and ensure that the student section stays lively.
While some sports consistently attract large crowds, others, like tennis and swim and dive, face greater difficulties in drawing fans. “Tennis is a sport where we go to state every year, and we have the least amount of fans,” Allison Storm (12) said.
This sentiment is echoed by diver Poppy Henry (12), who pointed out the lack of support for her sport. “I did notice the lack of supporters [at our meets]. It was kinda ironic when there were more views on the other side for the other team when we had a home lead, but it didn’t get my spirits down.”
Despite their hard work and dedication, players in less-attended sports can feel undervalued when the stands remain empty. “Everyone puts a lot of effort into their sport, so it would be nice for our peers to support all sports,” Storm said. It is important to ensure that every athlete, regardless of their sport, feels appreciated and supported by the school community.
One of the most notable issues surrounding attendance is the gender disparity in fan support. While boys’ sports like football and basketball tend to draw larger crowds, girls’ sports often struggle to attract the same level of attention. “The U-High student section needs to be more inclusive of all genders when it comes to sports,” varsity basketball player Kinley Mitchell (12) said. She emphasized that increasing attendance for girls’ games would not only raise the players’ spirits but also foster a culture of inclusivity and appreciation for all athletes.
A significant factor contributing to this gender disparity is the coverage (or lack thereof) of girls’ sports on social media. The U-High Graphics account, which promotes U-High sports through posts and graphics, has received criticism for its tendency to feature boys’ sports more prominently. “The U-High Sports Graphic page is a fun way to update students about our sports. When I recently looked at the Instagram account, I saw the lack of coverage that girls’ sports was getting,” Haley Martin (12) said. Over the years, Martin has noticed that boys’ sports consistently receive more attention, which may contribute to the unequal attendance between boys’ and girls’ games.
To better understand the account’s intentions, we reached out to the anonymous account holder, who clarified that the focus on boys’ sports was not intentional. “The purpose of this account isn’t to encourage attendees for boys’ games, but it just happened to look that way because of the images that I was able to get,” U-High Graphics said. Despite this clarification, the discrepancy in coverage persists, and without equal representation, less popular sports, particularly girls’ sports, will continue to struggle to draw in fans.
At the end of the day, the student section thrives when there is a sense of community and excitement for the sport. It is up to the students at U-High to show up and ensure that the student section remains lively and vibrant for all sports. Whether through attending games, creating signs, or supporting teams on social media, every contribution helps. Students can stay informed by checking the UCREW and U-High Pioneers Instagram accounts for updates on upcoming events and themes.
By committing to more inclusive support for all teams, regardless of gender or popularity, U-High can create a student section that truly represents the school’s spirit and celebrates the hard work of all its athletes.
