Eight Simple Rules to Keep the Spirit of the Panther Pit Roaring

Football Season screams Friday nights full of ecstatic students, fun memories, and an even rowdier Panther Pit. The Pit has long been a place where students can cheer on the football team all while flaunting unique style, deafening screams, and irreplaceable spirit. For underclassmen, especially freshmen, finding a place in the Pit can be intimidating. But need not worry. Seniors Grant Huller and Ajia Kirkpatrick, along with Junior Nick Ren discuss the proper pit etiquette and prove that you can sit with us – as long as you adhere to the following

1. Too much? Not enough! Go all out with your wardrobe for each game. “I’ll get Nike compressions and some color boxers, whatever color fits the theme. I’ll paint my face, wear a hat, I’m going all out,” said Huller.

2. Chant, cheer, scream. Just get involved. “Everyone should get involved because it’s school spirit, and it’s fun to support and cheer for your football team. Why pay to be there if you’re not going to cheer?” said Kirkpatrick.

3. Embrace the pit now – don’t wait ’til you’re a senior. Next thing you know, it’s your last game. “They [underclassmen] aren’t as excited as the seniors who are experiencing their last hoorah while at the games on those Friday nights,” said Huller.

4. Sorry freshmen, you’re in the back. “Order – with [freshmen] in the back and [seniors] in the front – is significant because the freshman just don’t know what to expect yet. They are still learning how to be a panther in the pit,” said Huller.

5. Be prepared to make memories – we know, cheesey but true. “My best memory has to be the Dominion game, my freshman year, when we all ran onto the field,” said Ren.

6. We get it; it’s new. Just don’t be shy and always get hype. “Yell, be loud, don’t be shy, just put yourself out there,” said Huller.

7. Stick to the theme. “I don’t think there is a particular wardrobe for each game as long as you stick to the theme or the color. Girls like to wear boas, paint each other’s faces, and wear accessories, so that’s cool,” said Kirkpatrick.

8. It’s the Pit; there is no filter. “There is no specific amount of school spirit you should have. There are actually no proper manners in the pit, that’s the thing. You can be crazy or whatever. That’s the Panther Pit,” said Ren.

Come out tomorrow night, Friday September 22 to support the varsity football team against Freedom, 7 pm