How TC Fans are Preparing for the Sports Season
By Ava Stroshane
Turn up or transfer. That’s the motto of the Timber Creek Purple People section. For many at Timber Creek, the Purple People experience becomes a way of life in the fall sports season. “Purple people means a lot to me because it is a place where all the students can get together and show our spirit for our school and have fun outside of school hours,” said senior Mackenzie Wise. Wise is the leader of the infamous fan section at Timber Creek and has been involved in Purple People since her freshman year. Due to this she has felt a strong connection to it throughout her years in high school.
Purple People is crucial in keeping the spirit up at football and volleyball games, especially through keeping up with traditions for fans at Timber Creek. Wise has been preparing for this Purple People season by “getting the paint for everyone and coming up with themes that everyone will enjoy.” Getting painted handprints on your arms and legs as well as dressing up for themes each game are just two of the many customs that Purple People participants enjoy during the sports season, along with making signs for the players and participating in push-up contests held by the TC cheerleaders. For Wise, this year will be different than all others because it will be her last year in Purple People. “I plan on going to all of the games this year because I really enjoy them and it’s my senior year so it is extra special.”
Students like Wise and senior Eddy Morales have seen going to every home game this year as an essential part of spending time during their last few months at Timber Creek. While Wise has prepared for this season by gathering materials for Purple People traditions, Morales and other students have been preparing to carry out those traditions during games. “I have prepared for this season by drinking water and getting ready to yell my heart out,” said Morales. Morales joined Purple People in his sophomore year because for him, “it was a way to make friends and connect with people.” Purple People is a huge social scene for students at Timber Creek and with fans ranging from freshmen to seniors, it is very easy to meet someone new at any number of football or volleyball games. “To me, Purple People is a sense of community but at the same time it’s being the backbone to Timber Creeks fans,” said Morales.
Even though Purple People had to delay its first football appearance because of bad weather at the University game, the TC students still showed up for the first volleyball game of the season and prepared to bring their A-game for the Dr. Phillips game. At its surface, Purple People may be seen as just a fan section for high school sporting events. But for students at Timber Creek, Purple People is a way of life, where you want to be every Friday night, and above all, the best place for Timber Creek students to come together and blow away any other team that comes to our house.
