“EASTSIDE BEST SIDE!” is something East students have been hearing at football games for years. The big question this year is whether or not students are going to be hearing that anywhere else.
Last year, the leaders of Eastside, a group focused on school spirit at games, decided to appoint rising seniors they thought would do well instead of continuing to go through the application process that was in place in previous years. This decision has left some student-athletes feeling excluded and concerned about allegedly inconsistent game attendance.
“In the past, there have been more Eastside members, and just people, at our games, than this year,” said one anonymous senior athlete.
Zuri Trice, a senior volleyball player and swimmer, has firsthand experience with Eastside as a multi-sport athlete. She was also initially chosen as an Eastside leader, however she later declined due to her experience and other commitments.
“I really had little intention of being on Eastside, and…the week before school, I got a text [saying] ‘This is the Eastside for next year.’…[and] that felt a little exclusive to me,” Trice said.
After the fall sports season and Eastside participation began, Trice noticed what she believed to be preferences for which sporting events Eastside attends. Trice was understanding about implicit biases of wanting to support friends and teammates with their sports, but also wanted to emphasize equity.
“It would be impossible to not be more inclined to go watch your friends play than people you don’t know,” Trice said. “[But] I think that’s a responsibility that comes along with being on Eastside, rejecting those initial biases.”
Athletic Director Randy Trumbower has a different perspective of the school spirit group as an attendee and coordinator for many East sporting events. He praised Eastside for their presence at games so far this year.
“Everybody’s been, like usual, outstanding,” Trumbower said. “We set [attendance] up to be somewhat consistent, but I think they [Eastside leaders] have gone above and beyond to make sure we have representation, not only at our home games, but also our away games.”
Caroline Karczewski, a senior and one of nine Eastside leaders this year, disputes any claims of favoritism and asks for understanding of many seniors’ current workloads and college applications.
“I don’t think it can be held against us when we don’t find three hours in our schedule to go to the games consistently,” Karczewski said.
Athletes like Caroline Whitaker, a senior goalie and four-year field hockey player, understand the time restraints on Eastside members, but would value more of their support. Considering the fact that the field hockey team has done so well in this and previous seasons with a 32-7 overall record from 2021-2022, Whitaker is disappointed by the small, parent-heavy crowds that show up along with the lack of consistent presence from Eastside.
“It’s probably 20 people in the stands but it’s just everyone’s mom,” Whitaker said. “Probably two people [Eastside leaders] have shown up with a flag… If they [Eastside members] come, more people will come [with them].”
Linda Wang, another Eastside leader, explained the value of Eastside for athletes and fans.
“We bring a lot of energy.” Wang said. “I think that our presence there is very uplifting.”
Photo by Ben Parry/The ECHO
