Whether Nolan Kuchnicki, senior, was working out or practicing plays on the football field, his Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings this past summer started with his team. 

“We were working all summer long through the heat,” Kuchnicki said. 

MHS Varsity Football has a current record of 2-1 after a 32-14 win at Pattonville on Friday, Sept. 13.

No matter how much the team prepares, Kuchnicki said, student support will always be essential to the outcome of the game.

“It can be really demoralizing if another team comes to the game and their student section is louder than yours,” Kuchnicki said, “It really changes the momentum of the game.” 

Adam Starling, Activities Director, said student involvement at the opening football game this year has made him hopeful for the atmosphere of the rest of the school related events this year. 

“It was Labor Day weekend, it was raining, and we still had over 2400 people here,” Starling said.

Starling coordinates with Stang Gang, a school spirit organization, to increase student participation at events outside of school. Stang Gang works with administrators, cheer, band, and mystique to increase involvement at MHS. 

“Ultimately, it’s the student body that decides what the events are going to feel like,” Starling said, “So far, we see that this new group of leaders for the Stang Gang want to grow a sense of belonging.” 

In previous years, Starling said, Stang Gang has been present at most Football and Basketball games. This year, their goal is to increase student turnout at sports that typically have lower attendance. 

“We would like to see more of a presence at the sports that don’t have as big of a crowd to show support for student athletes here at Marquette and so they feel important in the community here as well,” Starling said.

Marin Lally, senior, said showing support invigorates the team. This year, Lally is a member of Stang Gang. 

“When you hear people cheering for you, it motivates you,” Lally said, “It makes you want to do better and perform for your school.”

Not only does student turn-out impact athletes, but it also impacts those who are there to support them, Lally said.

“By creating a more hyped-up environment, it makes the school year more fun and it brings you closer to your friends,” Lally said.

Sophomore Principal Dr. Richard Regina said being a part of a large community like the one at MHS brings everyone together.

“The more people who are there, the more people want to be there,” Dr. Regina said. “We all want to be a part of that next big thing.”

Dr. Regina said that student involvement also benefits students’ academic performance. 

“All of the research shows that students who are involved and students who are invested in their school do better academically. There is a direct relationship between being involved and having success at school,” Dr. Regina said. 

When he was an English teacher, Dr. Regina said being involved in extracurricular activities such as coaching field hockey and baseball at MHS motivated him and got him excited about coming into work.

“There are days you don’t necessarily want to come to school,” Dr. Regina said. “The thing I looked forward to the most was when the team I was coaching had a game that night.”

This story was originally published on Marquette Messenger on September 20, 2024.