A new highlight to the winter sports season
by David Chang

A banner for the first of four Pack-the-Gym nights is showcased in the center stairwell. Photo by David Chang

When Oscar Grossman, Adv. 109, saw the pack the gym poster and realized he had missed the event, he was a bit disappointed. However, his emotions quickly turned around when he found out there would be three more pack-the-gym nights this year.

  Pack-the-gym nights take place on a Friday when many students come out to support the school’s sports teams by literally packing the gym and its stands with people.

“I really appreciate pack-the-gym night,” Dan Kosmala, Adv. 105, who plays varsity basketball, said. “It gives the teams a boost of confidence and energy that we would lack otherwise. Furthermore, the entrance fee of $1 will help support clubs and charity.”

Some students, however, are confused at the idea of having four pack-the-gym nights.

“Why all of a sudden?” Kevin Aguilar, Adv. 108, said. “It was fine when there used to be one pack-the-gym night because everyone looked forward to it and because the gym was always filled with a lot of people. What would four separate pack-the-gym nights actually accomplish?”

Due to the lack of school spirit at Northside’s sports events, four pack-the-gym nights have been created.

“There are four pack-the-gym nights this year because the sports programs need more support,” Despot Djuric, Adv. 104, varsity basketball player, said. “At other schools, many students and parents attend the games, but it’s not like that here at Northside. It might be because we only have about 1000 students, but we definitely need more support from our students and fellow classmates.”

Mr. Andrew Mayer, Northside Athletic Director, thought of the idea of having four pack-the-gym nights and is anticipating large crowds each night.

“I just think our sports programs deserve more support and appreciation from the student body,” Mr. Mayer said.

There is no doubt that when a team plays at home, they have an advantage over their opponent; look at the Chicago Bears. According to chicagobears.com, their record proves that they play better at Soldier Field, their home turf, rather than when they play on the road.

“We play better when there is a big crowd because their applause and encouragement keep our adrenaline pumping,” Tae Lee, Adv. 204, sophomore basketball player, said. “When a lot of people are watching, it makes you want to put on your absolute best for them.”

This year’s pack-the-gym nights will be held not only for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, but also for the wrestling, cheerleading, and pom-pom teams.

“I think this year’s multiple pack-the-gym nights are great because it gives the cheer-leading and pom-pom teams more action,” Tom Brekke, Adv. 102, varsity basketball player, said. “The cheerleaders and pom-pom members do their chants and routines during our games and at half-times. The four pack-the-gym nights will allow them to perform in front of large crowds and this will help them prepare for the city championships.”

In previous years, there has been only one pack-the-gym night for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, and on that night the gym has always been filled with students and parents. The main concern of the change to four pack-the-gym nights is the number of people that will actually show up to each event.

“I think the change is foolish because no one will show up,” Spencer Kennedy, Adv. 110, said. “I mean who is actually going to attend all four pack-the-gym nights? It’s better to have everyone fill the gym on one pack-the-gym night instead of having a small number of people attend each of the four pack-the-gym nights.”

Mr. Mayer, however, disagrees.

“Think about it,” Mr. Mayer, said. “If people have a great time at the first pack-the-gym night, give me a reason why they will not come to the next three.”

The first pack-the-gym night, which was on December 4, featured the men’s basketball teams and the men’s wrestling team.

“There was no school on the first pack-the-gym night, and it was amazing to see about a quarter of the student body there,” Andrew Sonta, Adv. 106, said.  

Many students enjoyed the first pack-the-gym night.

“I had such a great time on Friday,” Shahrose Rahman , Adv. 103, said. “After a long week of homework and tests, it was refreshing to watch some basketball with my friends.”

Although the men’s varsity basketball team lost to Luther North High School by a mere three points, both the men’s sophomore basketball team and men’s wrestling team had great success in their respective matches. Furthermore, many students and parents enjoyed a night of excitement and exhilaration.