Black Hole influence goes way back

This year’s Black Hole leaders are seniors Micah Caverzagie, Danny Wallace, and Mason Schroeder, each bringing their unique energy to the group. Caverzagie described being a Black Hole leader as: “Showing up to all of the games and leading different cheers, also by making everyone have fun and give them something to chant to.”

By unifying students regardless of grade level, the Black Hole allows students to come together and support other students. “It gets students from all around the school and the different activities involved, and it helps build the student body,” Caverzagie said. “What we do for the Black Hole is everyone chanting at once, and it unifies the student body.”

The Black Hole plays a significant role in the outcome and overall energy of the games. Varsity volleyball setter, senior, Charlee Solomon recapped a memorable game where the Black Hole showed up to support the Titans: “One memory I have of the Black Hole this season so far was when we played the Monarchs. There were a lot of students there, they were chanting a lot, and it ultimately helped our energy during the game go up and helped us sweep our rivals.”

Varsity running back Derek Jones also recalled the impact of the Black Hole during the Titan-Monarch football game. “In the Titan-Monarch game, right away the energy was high, they were yelling and screaming. We got the ball on the first drive, we drove down the field, we came up short and kicked a field goal, but we got points on the board early. With their high energy it really helped us drive down the field.”

Stadium announcer and English teacher Pete Goecke has a fond memory of the GEICO Girls Volleyball Invitational, where the volleyball team was televised nationally on ESPNU. “The best game that I recall was when ESPN came to the school and we were televised on ESPNU,” Goecke said. “We had our place loud and filled. That was a really fun game.”

Goecke also emphasized the importance of having the Black Hole to boost team momentum. “As a former high school athlete, I know that cheering in the crowd makes a huge difference,” he said. “We need kids out and we need them to get involved. It also makes it more fun for everyone there, even for the opposing team.”

Current Athletic Director Jeremy Van Ackeren stressed the importance of the Black Hole attending away games as well. “Student body support is important, and it can mean a lot during home games, especially if you are playing a tough opponent,” Van Ackeren said. “We are pretty fortunate here; we have a lot of kids who go to away games that other schools probably don’t. I think it shows those teams that… the students in this school care. I think it’s important, and the teams see that and they know if no one is there or if someone is there.”

The Black Hole, the school’s spirited student section, has remained a staple since the school first opened. Mr. Larson, inaugural assistant principal, now the school security guard, reflected on its origins. “The old Athletic Director Jeff Johnson came up with the name The Black Hole. He gathered students that he believed would be leaders in that process,” Larson recalled. “We tried to pick some students that weren’t so much involved in their sport because that’s who they would be primarily supporting.”

Even though the Black Hole traditions have evolved over the past 22 years, the core chants remain. Science teacher Kim Jatczak reminisced about a popular tradition that has faded over time. “We started the rollercoaster, which was huge, and the kids loved it, but that has gone away.”

Larson agreed that while some chants have stayed the same, others have come from other schools. “We had a couple of guys who did the rollercoaster and it became quite a tradition for a while… chants like ‘you can’t do that’ or cheering ‘we can’t hear you’ when things aren’t going well for them,” he said.

The Black Hole continues to be a vital part of school spirit, bringing students together and boosting the energy at games. Its traditions, both old and new, embody the pride and unity of the student body.