Oh, What a Night(s)!
First off, I would like to start this article with a huge thank you to all the fans, parents, and grade schoolers who participated in all of our theme nights. This actually would not have been possible without you guys. My expectations for these nights were low, and they were blown out of the water.
How this all started was an anonymous source suggested to Jon Gamble and me that we start doing theme nights for home games, like public schoolers do. We thought this was a great idea and decided to run with it. Soon a google doc had been made, and spitballing began. After some really cool, but highly impractical, theme nights were turned down (apparently Tuxedo Night would get too hot, and Hobo Night just wouldn’t get participation), I was shut up and Jon decided to come up with ideas that would be cheap and easy.
Game 1: Hawaiian Night - Immanuel Vs. Eleva Strum
Probably my favorite one so far, though that may be because Hawaiian shirts are the most comfortable thing on the planet (except maybe a Snuggie). This was our first night, so I was ready for about five people to dress up. Then I would have to hit the “big red button” on theme nights. I went down to the Commons. My mind exploded. Volleyball was selling leis, and somehow someone had gotten a photo board with Hawaiians on it. Almost everyone had at least something with a flower on it. A boogie board was given to us to hang in “The Perch.” Jesse Wilke brought down his Towel Flag, that I’m pretty sure he just had lying around before I announced it was Hawaiian Night. Immanuel swept Eleva.
Game 2: ‘Merica Night - Immanuel Vs. Independance
After the last theme night, I had high expectations. Those were met to the fullest extent. After Savers’ American hats were (probably) all bought out, the bleachers were full of Red, White, and Blue (capitalized because ‘Merica). The Towel Flag was back flying high, Justin Winters had an American Flag hat roughly the size of a six year old child, and Josh wore some of the stretchiest skinny jeans I have known to exist. Shout out to Mrs. Naumann who I heard actually called Perkins to ask if they had a giant flag we could borrow (they didn’t). Volleyball sold ‘Merican beads, and a certain Canadian took it upon herself to support our neighbors to ‘da Nort’ (eh?). Afterwards, Jon and I realized that we chose to do ‘Merica when we were playing a team named after one of ‘Merica’s greatest (out of many) gifts. Immanuel again swept the competition.
Game 3: Hick\Western - Immanuel Vs. Melrose Mindoro (Mel-Min)
The bar had been set. I knew what our fan base was capable of now, and I was eagerly awaiting what was down in the Commons. I was met by Josh Gerbitz and Seth Miller wearing “Jorts” (jean shorts). After I regained my eyesight from being blinded by pasty thighs, I was able to see the awesomeness. We had cowboys, southern hicks, and Wisconsin (represent) hicks present. Wilke’s flag again was hung with pride. I was asked by some Mel-Min players if we did western night when we played them on purpose because they are the Mustangs (We did not.). We even got some Prof participation (Prof Roehl). Immanuel again swept the opponent.
Game 4: Sports Jersey Night - Immanuel Vs. Alma/Pepin
We for sure (so far) got the most participation out of this night. Parents showed up in a mod-podge of jerseys, from Packers to Vikings to The Brooklyn Dodgers (my personal favorite). Ichiro Suzuki made an unexpected appearance along with Jim Thome. The University of Miami (Florida) got some recognition. There was the usual banter between Packer and Viking fans, mostly due to the Packers losing in the Vikings new stadium two Sundays before. Wilke kept tradition and waved his flag with honor, much to the fans’ delight. Immanuel actually lost a set this game, but went on to win 3-1.
Game 5: SENIOR NIGHT! (Blackout) - Immanuel Vs. Blair Taylor
Everyone goes all out on Senior Night. It's a way to give the Seniors a proper send off for their last regular season home game. There was face paint (crayon), long socks, boxing gloves, and, once again, the Wilke flag. After there was a boxing match set to “Gonna Fly Now” by the pep band (which ended in a knockout), the game was afoot. The cheering was on point, and I have never been more proud of my peers as I stood in the middle of the perch. We had come a long way from our Freshman year, where we had to sit on the edge of the students section wondering what any of these cheers were. We may not be the best cheering class there has ever been, but you know we are going to cheer our hearts out. Good luck in the playoffs Lancers.
Cordially - James Schaser
