What High School Has the Best Fans in Connecticut? [Video]

Do you think your school’s student section is the best in Connecticut, demonstrating the best mix of creativity, school spirit, and sportsmanship? Now is your chance to prove it.

For the second straight year, the Connecticut Association of Schools and Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CAS-CIAC) is running a Battle of the Fans (BOTF) contest to recognize the top cheering section in Connecticut.

Year one of the program was a significant success with nine schools submitting entry videos, and organizers hope for even more participating schools this year.

Here is some information about entering the contest:

WHAT:

• Battle of the Fans is a competition designed to encourage positive fan behavior from school student sections and highlight the great things schools are doing to promote sportsmanship and supportive fan conduct.
• Student-submitted videos will highlight the school’s commitment to sportsmanship, and school spirit.
• A panel of CAS-CIAC staff and members of the CAS Student Advisory Council will judge the videos and vote on the winner.

HOW:

• Schools should record a video of their student section of no more than three minutes, highlighting their school’s sportsmanship and school spirit. At least 30 seconds of the video should be specific discussion of why your school should win the Battle of the Fans. Be loud, be creative, have fun!
• Post your video to YouTube by noon, on Friday February 5.
• E-mail the link to your YouTube video to dmaloney@casciac.org.

JUDGING:

• Videos will be judged on sportsmanship, school spirit, originality, and student section leadership. Be as loud and positive as possible.
• Three finalists will be chosen, and the CAS-CIAC team will visit each finalist’s school on a game night.
• The winner will be announced prior to the CIAC Basketball Championships at Mohegan Sun, and the winning school will be honored as part of the finals March 19-20 at Mohegan Sun.

IMPORTANT DATES:
2/5 – Videos are due to be uploaded to YouTube by noon.
2/12 – Finalists are announced.
2/12-2/26 – CIAC staff visits finalists during game nights.
3/14 – Winner announced.
3/19-20 – Winning school recognized at basketball finals at Mohegan Sun.

MISSION:
Sportsmanship and positive student interactions are at the heart of the mission for CAS-CIAC. The Battle of the Fans hopes to inspire and recognize schools that use sporting events as an opportunity to foster a welcoming and fun school climate through supportive and creative cheering and behavior. This is a chance for student leaders to highlight the best of your school and showcase the great things students around the state are doing. Use the Twitter hashtag #CTBOTF to share ideas and spread the word about your school’s video. Good luck, have fun, and be positive.

The video from last year’s champion, Sacred Heart, is included below, and you can search Battle of the Fans on YouTube for inspiration. Here’s a link to the three finalists from last year.