For Jordan Gremba, senior class president and an organizer of the Purple Flood student section, the first football game of the season provided a great memory.

“It was great seeing everyone dressed up” for the Hawaiian theme, Gremba said. “We did not know if people would participate, and it was so fulfilling to see everyone dressed up,” she said. 

Senior Avery Pasquale, the other Purple Flood leader, said that seeing the crowd for that first game also was special because of the Covid limitations on spectators last year.

“I remember only seeing my mom up in the stands last year. It was amazing to see the students enthusiastic for the games this year,” Senior Avery Pasquale said. 

Senior class leaders determined that Gremba and Pasquale would lead the student section at the beginning of the year. 

“I became a leader for the Instagram account since I love to post about events and get people excited,” Pasquale said. 

“Since I am senior class president, I automatically took on the role of running the account,” Gremba said.

The student section has had a theme for each game, with the theme for tonight’s final home football game being “Pink Out” in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“It can really be hard trying to please everyone as they all have really good ideas,” Gremba said of choosing the themes. “We try to let people write in themes they would like to see.”

With the football team having a tough year, some people have criticized the student section, while others have criticized the students themselves for not supporting the team.

“I think at the beginning of the season there was definitely more energy and enthusiasm, but as time went on with a few losses, I think people started to feel discouraged,” senior Drew Martin said.

Pasquale said that people need to remember that the students on the football team, and the leaders of the student section, are trying.

“I think it is very difficult to blame the student section. I think more people need to realize there are some really good teams in our division and we’re not going to win every game,” Pasquale said. 

Although the football season was rough for both the team and student section, the Purple Flood leaders hope to bring enthusiasm to the winter sports season, including more themes.                             

“We have some things planned but are willing to do any theme the students want,” Gremba said.