Just two short years ago the MHS student section was described as “big and boisterous, passionate and prideful,” by STL Today writer, Brett Auten.

There was a time when the “Stang Gang” had to be stopped (unsuccessfully) by administrators from storming the court after a win. And the mantra “I believe that we will win” could resoundingly be heard echoing off the walls of Mizzou Arena.

Now, almost two years since the basketball team’s historic final four run it appears the school spirit we were once defined by is all but gone.

As a school we’re lucky to field enough students in our own student section, let alone completely fill our stands.

I remember being a freshman and finding it hard to get seats with a decent view at a basketball game. Or students bringing signs entitled “The guy behind me can’t see.” There just doesn’t seem to be the same level of excitement for sporting events anymore.

With teams like Eureka and our rival Lafayette bringing upwards of 5,000 fans to their football games, I find it hard to believe we can’t fill our student section.

Although it does appear that administrators and several students are at least trying to boost attendance with the introduction of tailgating at football games and the reintroduction of “Mookie” the Mustang but these still don’t seem to be enough.

The problem is that these inclusions, while great for the school overall, shouldn’t have to be in place for students to come to the games.

As a student body we say we’re Mustang Strong, but are we really?

We only have four years of high school which means only four short years to make our mark on this school. Most juniors and seniors remember the final four run and how it felt to be a part of something more than just a high school. We really were a Marquette family. As a freshman I felt at home with this school in just my first year.

Now, as juniors and seniors, I feel as if we aren’t doing what the upperclassmen did for us. We aren’t leading, we aren’t encouraging, in fact we aren’t even attending the games. It seems as if the underclassmen are the only ones bringing even remotely decent crowds to the games.

This doesn’t just have to do with sports either. As a school we need more leaders. Leaders that instead of creating followers, create more leaders to carry on our traditions.

I honestly hope we can get back to being described as “big and boisterous, passionate and prideful.” Because when people look back on your days in high school do you want to be remembered as an 8:16-3:05 student or do you want people to remember you for more than just going to class?