Last Friday night was a lot of firsts for winter athletics. It was the girls’ basketball team’s first game of the year. Their head coach, Kathleen Trask, celebrated her first game in charge of the program. For freshmen, it was their first high school game, and for seniors, it was their last first game. Finally, it was the student section’s first game in their new location.
The Nest, as it is known, had formerly been located in the center section of bleachers opposite the team benches. Now located in the corner closest to the atrium on the same side, the Nest was packed full for the first game of the season.
Athletic director Matthew Berkley said that a main goal of this change was to improve the fan experience, saying, “With the amount of movement from our student body to the concession stand and restroom it is the least distracting to the rest of our fans.”
He also added that when standing in the center of the bleachers, the student section can impede the vision of parents trying to watch their child play. “In wanting to ensure all of those people attending have the best experience, standing in that corner is the least disruptive to all fans.”
Berkley also hopes that moving the Nest will help better support the teams on the court. “[Moving the Nest] allows for our student body to positively disrupt the opposing team with noise and cheers when they are on offense during the second half of the game,” Berkley said.
The students at Friday night’s game did just that. Clad in PJs, slippers, and sleep masks to celebrate pajama night, the Nest was packed with students supporting the girls’ basketball team.
But Berkley says there’s always room for more. “Any time students attend the game it makes the atmosphere better,” he said. “I would encourage our student body to be a part of any activity at school as a spectator if they are not involved in that activity. Whether it is football, volleyball, swimming, basketball, wrestling, band, choir concerts, orchestra, students should come and support peers. The support helps make being a Riverhawk special.”
If you want to check out the Nest, the next home basketball game is on Friday, Nov. 6, with the first varsity game starting at 6:15 p.m. You can find the rest of the girls’ and boys’ basketball schedule here.
