Article by: Matt Sicat
Photograph by: Jinny Park
With one of ISM’s most anticipated seasonal events coming up – Friday Night Lights, Bearcat Spirit is running high around campus. This event is hosted by the Student Ambassadors, with the help of other clubs such as the American Cultural Club (ACC), and the French Honors Society (FHS).
During Friday Night Lights, scores of parents, students, teachers and staff members line the bleachers of the gym and field to watch their favorite Bearcat Athletes play. Friday Night Lights showcases the fervor of Bearcat Spirit as spectators and competitors alike truly shine. ACC President, Kirby Belmonte, always finds time to support his fellow Bearcats, despite having to balance his responsibilities of selling drinks and snacks to spectators. He states “FNL is great fun to watch… It’s electrifying to just join in with the crowd, cheer, and scream your lungs out.”
Playing at home not only boosts Bearcat spirit, but it also provides tons of benefits for players as well, as the cheer of the home team’s fans elevates the teams’ level of play. “I feel the urge to give it all I have when I see people taking time out to cheer us on,” says Bearcat Baller Berk Genel. “It’s really something special – the more the people watching and cheering, the better our chances of winning.”
However, despite the exhilarating motivation from the crowd, athletes face several pressures when playing in front of their friends and families. Like in the infamous Brazil-Germany World Cup soccer match, missing a crucial shot, turning over the ball or losing the game can be devastating when in front of your home crowd. “It’s obviously a nerve-racking experience for newcomers,” Genel asserts. “But as you get older, you learn to use the pressure to motivate you, fuel you, make you a better player and help your team win.” Dual season athlete Erin O’Reilly agrees, stating that “home games create a lot of pressure for players, but having a home crowd can also give you the confidence boost that helps you win a game.”
Friday Night Lights is a fantastic event that allows Bearcats of all ages to come together, eat some great food and watch impressive displays of athleticism. But most of all, Friday Night Lights is about supporting our athletes and building Bearcat spirit. After all, a school without spirit is hardly a school at all.
Go Bearcats!
