Every high school has its athletes, coaches, and fans, but the thing that separates our school from the rest is 6th Man— our student section club that makes every sporting event an exciting experience. From Friday Night Lights to basketball games, it doesn’t matter what type of sport it is, 6th Man is always there dressing in theme, waving the flag, and cheering loudly.
“We wanted to make sure every athlete feels supported and that our student body shows up with energy,” says senior Alex Miller, who is one of the presidents of the club. “Its not just about cheering, it’s also about building school pride”. This club has been a staple at Olympia for over a decade and has grown massively over the years. With each new class that came in, also came new ideas, more leadership roles, and extra spirit. The name 6th Man comes from basketball. Referring to the fans as the sixth player on the court, giving energy and support to the team. The same idea applies to every sport, as the club acts as a motivational force.
Before every game, the 6th Man officers meet to plan the theme and spread the information. “We use posters, social media posts, and announcements to let everyone know what the theme is and what time the game starts,” said Hype Manager Leo Nabut. “We’ve had blackout games and neon nights, name the theme and we’ve probably already checked it off our list.” The themed games are a huge hit with students. In our Minion Out game, students came with their faces painted yellow and goggles and overalls in hand. For USA night, students came dressed as the founding fathers, decked out in red, white, and blue, and there was even a bald eagle. “It makes the whole environment more exciting and gets the student body involved in the sports games,” said Miller. “When everyone is dressed up and yelling together, it feels like we are all one big family.” While football and basketball games draw the biggest crowds, 6th Man makes an effort to show up to other sports, too. “We’ve gone to volleyball, baseball, and even have a good turnout for swim meets. These student athletes work hard with practice and schoolwork, and they deserve a crowd to show support.”
As the school year progresses and winter sports are now in season, 6th Man has big plans. They are organizing holiday-themed games, which would allow for school spirit to keep growing as the year continues. As the stage is set and the announcer is going down the starting lineup before the big game, the crowd starts cheering together. It is obvious that 6th Man is more than just a club; it’s the heart of the school. Whether they win or lose, they show their support and cheer loudly. The club stands as a reminder that being a part of a team isn’t always defined by court time or if you’re wearing a jersey. It can mean standing in the student section and chanting O-T as the school spirit grows and the club legacy lives on for future generations.
