Cheering on the varsity football team, seniors Cameron Neisler and Garrett Larsen get the crowd ready for a victory at the homecoming football game. Neisler and Larson run the @PWestSuperfan Instagram account which promotes sporting events and activities around the school. “I’ve had the account since May of last year,” Neisler said. “The reason I created the account was to spread the word about different sporting events and show love to all the teams and players.”
Attendance is Mandatory: Behind the scenes of @PWest Superfan
September 20, 2019
After noticing a lack of school spirit and attendance at sporting events in previous years, seniors Cameron Neisler and Garrett Larsen found a way to motivate the student body and boost attendance through an Instagram account called @PWestSuperfan.
“Since freshman year, I felt the school spirit hasn’t been as good as it could be,” Neisler said. “For senior year, I wanted to have more fun with it and get more people involved while also getting more spirited crowds at the games.”
The account currently has more than 700 followers and uses the slogan “Attendance is Mandatory” to motivate the student body to go to games.
“It was really cool seeing the entire student body get into it,” Larsen said. “I feel like it really boosts our senior mentality knowing that we have so much influence around campus.”
In preparation for the first home football game, due to one post by the account, many students wore home-made shirts saying “#BeatSouth” written in marker.
“It was an amazing feeling,” Neisler said. “I feel like that was the most enjoyable day of high school so far for me. It was really a great experience for everyone that was involved.”
During football games Neisler and Larsen lead the student section in cheering, going as far as having to write cheers on a white boards because students in the back can’t hear them due to the size and loud chants of the crowd.
“This years crowds have been phenomenal,” Larsen said. “The homecoming game was probably the largest crowd I’ve seen in my four years here. In my mind no other game will beat the spirit there.”
The account not only affects the student body but also the student athletes who appreciate the increased attendance at games.
“It’s an amazing feeling to see all the students in the stands,” varsity football player and sophomore Tyree Simms said. “I can feel all the spirit and support, and it adds some excitement to everyone before the game.”
Neisler and Larsen plan to continue using the account throughout the year to increase the crowd support at the Friday night football games, but also at other sports and activities throughout the school.
“Hyping up all the upcoming games is our main priority,” Neisler said. “We are trying to get every sport covered and get big crowds at games that usually don’t get as much attention.”
Both Larsen and Neisler are grateful for the positive feedback and support they have received from the student body in regards to @PWestSuperfan.
“Everyone enjoys it, and it brings good energy for players, coaches and fans,” Neisler said. “We are going to continue posting content and hopefully give the student body new experiences they otherwise wouldn’t have had.”