With the fall sports season coming to an end, it seems as though the successes of each respective team have not been shared by fans. Between both the girls’ varsity volleyball and boys’ varsity football—two typically well-attended sports—something has felt odd about this season: student attendance and spirit, or a lack thereof. Whether it be the usually anticipated volleyball game against The Branson School on Oct. 9 or the rivalry football game against Tamalpais on Oct. 10, the atmosphere hasn’t been replicated from previous years.
When I question fellow attendees at such events, the answer to why their friends aren’t in the crowd alongside them is always the same: seniors have college applications, juniors are drowning in stress, sophomores are getting used to a larger workload and freshmen are still figuring out high school. But in prior years, no matter the circumstances, highly anticipated volleyball games and football games were attended. Now, it seems like school spirit has gone down the drain. Boys’ varsity basketball coach Jay DeMaestri attends almost all Redwood sporting events, and he weighed in on why he thinks attendance at these events is so varied.
“Some grades are just more enthusiastic than others. The class atmosphere is a big influence when it comes to attendance,” DeMaestri said.
Although some might say that the teams aren’t performing as well this fall compared to prior runs, the girls’ varsity volleyball team ranks among the top in the Bay Area, supported by a 23-4 record and ranking sixth in the North Coast Section. DeMaestri regularly spectates the volleyball games and is a first-hand observer of each night’s attendance.
“I don’t understand why [the senior grade] is not there, especially with how competitive the [volleyball] team has been this year,” DeMaestri said.
While the football team has been middling this year, boasting a 4-4 record, DeMaestri believes the lack of attendance at recent football games has to do with the newly implemented rules, forcing longer commutes to cheer on the Giants.
“It definitely has to do with playing different teams on different days this year. In prior years, you would play a rival every week. This year, there is no correlation between teams besides the Tam game which also wasn’t well attended,” DeMaestri said.
Senior Sam Gersch, a dual sport athlete and Redwood sports fanatic believes these games are not being attended for other reasons. However, he also believes upcoming games will receive increased attendance.
“This year the games are just not being as publicized as much so people aren’t hearing about them. Also, students just have a lot going on right now. But, I know for sure during basketball season and upcoming playoff volleyball games everyone will be at those games, as they are super fun,” Gersch said.
Attending these games is more than just supporting your friends and teams. It serves as a great way to be a part of the atmosphere of a crowd and socialize with all of your classmates.
“You’re only a high school student once. It’s always fun to get to as many games as possible and be a part of the culture. When you attend these events, it’s more than just the game going on,” Gersch said.
Not only do these games serve as an exhilarating social experience, but they also can impact the outcome of the game. Senior basketball player Noah Tanaka commented on the effects of school support on a team’s performance.
“We are just more amped up and even more excited to go out there and play our hardest [when fans are there],” Tanaka said.
With more than half of Redwood’s student body involved in a sport, imagine if every single one of these athletes supported their fellow programs. The attendance and atmosphere would be through the roof, attracting student crowds of over 300 people. While it is understandable that people have other priorities and commitments, on a Friday or Saturday evening when the student body has nothing to do, events such as rivalry and playoff games serve students two hours of hanging out with and supporting their friends, lifting their school’s sports teams and experiencing the thrill of a high school student section.
