Black Hole leaders strive for a more involved student section

As the first varsity home football game approaches, the student section, also known as the Black Hole, will have a total of three senior Black Hole leaders: Luke Heisler, Dylan Johnson and Kate Ligon, who will guide students through cheers at each varsity game.

Heisler and Johnson were chosen by former Black Hole leaders, while Ligon was approached by administration to add female representation.  

Ligon described being a Black Hole leader as: “Involving yourself more in the school and being confident. You could get rejected. People could say things about you, and so kind of putting yourself out there.”

The Black Hole gives voice to the fan base  of Titan varsity teams.

“It gives us that competitive advantage,” Heisler said, “and it also shows the players that we are there to support them, and the school is behind them.” 

Ligon, who competes on the varsity volleyball team, said, “Most schools don’t have as big of a student section as we have for volleyball, but I think [the Black Hole] adds so much more to our culture than so many people realize.” Ligon added, “Everyone’s like ‘The volleyball team is good,’ but it’s also because we have such a good support system that the Black Hole brings.”

Beyond getting more students to attend games, this year’s Black Hole leaders want to see an increase in volume and buy-in from students.

“When you show up, you have to be loud,” Johnson said. “Don’t just show up to be quiet. Make sure to be cheering and supporting your team.” 

“It’s not weird to get involved or to get loud,” Ligon added. “You’re going to be looked at more for not talking than you will for yelling – so get out of your comfort zone.”

Johnson described the Black Hole’s main job as “giving our teams the support from the stands and getting ahead of the opponents.”

For football games this year, chants will be written on the Black Hole leaders’ whiteboard for the student section to see, but at volleyball and basketball games, the chants will be yelled up to students.

Johnson said there is some expected etiquette: “Being on your best behavior and making sure everyone else is on their best behavior.”

The Black Hole is also expected to not go after individual players or participate in any cussing.

Heisler said, “Just show up, be a good person, be supportive of your team and don’t be rude to the other team.”

By unifying students regardless of grade level, the Black Hole allows students to come together and support other students. 

“We’re all here to show our school support, and so we’re all here for the same reason. Don’t be shy about that, and don’t be embarrassed,” Ligon said.