ASB Brings Hype to the Next Level at Football Games
Fans in the student section dance as carbon gas is blasted into the air during the pink out game against Mission Viejo. ASB continues to experiment with music and other effects to rally the student section.
October 26, 2017
ASB is using new tactics at home football games this year in order to get the student section more involved.
In addition to the traditional band songs and t-shirt giveaways, new elements have been added to engage the crowd, including carbon cannons, speakers, new lighting, and a drone.
“We’re trying to take our student section to the next level and bring more people to football games,” said ASB commissioner of technical services Christian Waizinger.
Last year, ASB experimented with the new effects at the last home game against Tesoro, but it was unorganized. This year, the program has less flaws, but various details still need to be worked out.
Members of ASB have faced obstacles when operating the drone. Referees do not allow it to be flown over the field, while ASB fears that students will throw objects at the drone if it is flown too close to the student section.
The most significant challenge, however, results when both ASB and the band want to play their own music at the same time.
“We stepped on their toes a little bit,” Waizinger said.
At the home game against Great Oak, ASB began playing their own music right before the band was about to play a pep song. To make up for this, the trumpet section of the band was invited onto the field and played “Seven Nation Army” while students from ASB got the crowd involved in the song.
“We’ve tried to find a balance between the DJ and the band playing,” said senior trumpet player Jordan Edwards. “From what I’ve seen, everyone really enjoys it when the band plays and when ASB plays. Personally, I think we should just stick with the band, but if the students really want ASB’s music, I’m sure we could go for it.”
Edwards also cited problems caused by the colored powder occasionally used in the crowd to match the game’s theme. The powder can stain the band uniforms and if inhaled, make it difficult to play.
“We came to realize that the band, as cool as they are, doesn’t get people as hyped as hearing their favorite song. They also get drowned out by the crowd sometimes so we just added a new element,” Waizinger said.
ASB and the band are now working together to find what works best for both groups. In addition to using walkie-talkies to communicate, they are exploring more opportunity for the band to play accompaniments like the one performed during the game against Great Oak.
Despite the initial struggles, students are excited about the changes. On the other hand, football players have varying opinions on the new effects.
Some football players have noticed the impact the crowd is now making on the games, while others are too focused on the game to acknowledge the crowd’s energy.
“When I get out there, I’m in my own zone. I don’t really focus on anything else,” said senior kicker Porter Watson. “I just do my own thing and don’t pay attention to anything else, but other guys like the changes because the fans used to just stand there and not do much, but now they get pumped up when the music gets going. I feel like it’s working.”
ASB hopes to continue adding new elements to future footballs games, including smoke bombs, confetti, face paint, and glowsticks.
For the upcoming basketball season, ASB expressed an intention to get the crowd more involved in the games, but could not “make any promises” regarding specific ideas.
