Seneca Nation Strikes Back
For many years the Seneca Nation has supported boys and girls Varsity Basketball at every home game.
With their cheering and school spirit was known throughout the community, Seneca Nation has been a part of Watkins Glen for many years.
Students have been very involved with Seneca Nation in the past, wearing school colors to every home game, cheering and supporting our basketball teams.
Mrs. McIlroy, the Athletic Secretary at Watkins Glen claims that 2007-2009 was Seneca Nations strongest years.
McIlroy states that having a “student leader” would strengthen the Nation.
Knowing the experience of a student section, Mr. D’Alleva, the high school principal who graduated from Syracuse University is in full support.
D’Alleva then goes on to state that the downsides of Seneca Nation would be when supporters “Isolate one individual player.”
He also claims that “If we are going to use body paint, to make sure that we are respectful of those who have to clean it up after us.”
Seneca Nation has been supporting the basketball teams for many years while they had gotten a little out of hand, storming the court after a semi-sectional final win against Moravia.
“In the process of rushing the court, they enveloped the other team, which is a very hectic environment for our guests.” He said.
“One student got very upset and pushed a Watkins glen fan, he was not a student of Watkins Glen… That really incited the crowd and made the crowd upset and that turned into a very unsafe environment”. D’Alleva stated.
D’Alleva has always been cautious of Seneca Nation for a Watkins Glen student had been punched by a student of another school during a game in the past.
“The kid was injured pretty badly”, he said.
Many students have been curious about the yellow tape for it has been put up surrounding the court.
Many students believing that it has gone up due to the incident with at the Morava game, while others believe it has gone up as an extra precaution.
Kara Sheesley, a Watkins Glen 8th grade student has been to multiple home games this year and has noticed the yellow tape bordering the court.
“I think they put the yellow tape there to keep us from storming the court”, she said.
When asked, D’Alleva had said that the yellow tape surrounding the court had indeed gone up for “The players’ protection, the fans protection and the student’s protection”.
The students of Seneca Nation have come up with “cheers” or “chants” they do when a foul has been called or a basket on our side has been made.
These cheers can sometimes be derogatory towards the other team resulting in the crowd growing anger.
“The majority of them are great, being that this is a high school sport, not a college or professional sport. Again, any chant that isolates one individual member of the team I struggle with.” D’Alleva said.
Seneca Nation, for the most part, has been very positive and sportsman like this year.
Many fans have complimented our student section and how respectful we are towards our players and the players of other teams.
“My ultimate goal is that we are seen as a spirited student section, but also a respectful and sportsman like student section,” D’Alleva stated.