Some students are really there to follow the game closely, cheering on the athletes and hoping for a win. Others just want the chance to talk and hang out at a school activity where they don’t have to worry about classwork or rules and can just socialize with each other.

Jailynn Borum, a Senior at Stafford High School says,“I feel like in school we don’t have a lot of time with our friends as far as taking pictures and making memories, so when we go to the football games, it really brings us together.” For students like Jailynn, the game is more out of focus while she makes forever memories with friends by taking pictures and videos.

 So the question remains: Do students attend high school sports for the excitement on the field, or the excitement in the stands?

When you walk into a high school sports game, it’s pretty obvious who’s there for the game and who’s there for the vibes. Some are glued to the field, jumping up every time their team scores, while others are hanging out in the stands, taking pictures or passing around face paint to get into the school spirit. “I usually go to football games and such just to socialize. I think it’s nice seeing your friends outside of school and being able to talk freely with them without regular school interruptions. On top of that, I find that I get to know more about people because we get to talk more and find common interests,” says Olivia Ferguson, a sophomore at Stafford High School. Her response shows how for some students the action and excitement are in the stands rather than on the field.

But for some it’s not just about the socializing aspect, it’s about the game itself and getting to experience the hard work and effort that is put into playing a sport. This is especially true for seniors who get to watch the games for their last time. “Being a senior it’s just nice to experience it all one last time and soak in the excitement and entertainment as many of my friends, including myself, are athletes and get to see them play.” Said by Nayeli Rosario, a Senior at Stafford high school. These students want to soak up the final times being part of the crowd and cheering for their classmates.

The game watchers might be bummed from the loss of the game or ecstatic from the win, while the socializers are just happy that they got to enjoy other people’s company and connect on a deeper level than at school. Maybe some even made friends with students from the opposing school. In both cases, the game serves its purpose, either as a sport to follow or as a setting for friendships to grow. That contrast is what makes high school sports so interesting: they mean something different to every student in the stands.