WOODBURY — Red and blue: the colors that cover every student’s body in the Nonnewaug student section, not only supporting a good cause, but representing school’s pride.
No doubt about it, when athletic director Declan Curtin tells students to show up for a basketball game, the Chiefs deliver with enthusiastic attitudes, ready to support their fellow athletes.
There were an estimated 200 students at doubleheader basketball games against rival Shepaug on Feb. 2. A sea of red swarmed through the stands, screaming fans who were ready to put the Pride in the Tribe.
“Compared to other schools, their turnouts are not as much as ours,” said Maggie Keane, a senior at Nonnewaug. “Especially because it’s a big game and the red-out one especially this week, we’ve been hyping it up and the turnout was really good.”
The Nonnewaug girls beat Shepaug, 44-27, in the first game, and the Chiefs boys took home another W, holding on to beat the Spartans, 66-65.
While some games are more packed than others, there are always many faces ready to root for the win. The Nonnewaug student section usually have students dressing head to toe in the night’s theme color and cheering so loud their voice hurts the next morning.
“Our students are really special,” Nonnewaug junior R.J. Barksdale said. “We’re always excited, and we like to talk a lot.”
“I think they bring a lot of energy, which definitely motivates the players,” freshman cheerleader Hannah Keating said.
Junior Ellie McDonald feels the student section adds more to the atmosphere that benefits students and players.
“It makes the game super competitive, a lot more fun, and it just adds a different aspect so both the athletes and the fans will get more hype,” Nonnewaug junior Ellie McDonald said.
For some students attending the red-out games is the highlight of the year.
“It’s wonderful,” sophomore James Gwiazdoski said. “It’s the greatest experience of my life.”
