They can fill a section of bleachers at a football field, soccer field, basketball court, or hockey rink, and this year that’s exactly what they did. The students of the Williamsville North Squall were there for just about every game to support each of their school’s sports teams.
And when the soccer team won the Section VI championship, the first thing the players did was run over to celebrate with the North Squall.
When the hockey team defeated rival St. Joe’s early in the season and later won its Section VI championship as well, every North hockey player immediately skated over to celebrate with the Squall.
But the Squall wasn’t just there for soccer and hockey. Although the football team and basketball team fell short of winning section championships, the Squall was there every step of the way to support them.
And while students supporting their school teams isn’t a new idea, the North Squall brought that support and fandom to a whole new level, and it wouldn’t have happened without the driving force behind it: Ryan Schiller.
Ryan Schiller joins the North soccer team as they celebrate a Section VI championship.
An enthusiastic and passionate senior at Williamsville North, Schiller’s attitude is infectious, as shown by what he’s done in leading the North Squall to what it’s become.
“We’ve had people in the past doing it, and I just thought I’d put my own twist on it and say that everybody needs to get here, and everybody needs to be a part of it, because we’re all in the same high school,” Schiller said. “So why not just enjoy the fact that we’re together and really bond, and just appreciate the fact that we have such an amazing school with amazing students and staff.”
Schiller has also taken advantage of the value of social media, and students of other schools have followed his example.
“I like to have everyone follow one account,” Schiller explained. “It shows that we can communicate and spread the word as fast as possible, and just events like this really bring us together, and I feel like it helps the athletes as well.”
Schiller and the Squall use a Twitter account to inform North students of upcoming games, announce themes for each game — what to wear or bring — and to generate excitement for each sporting event they attend.
When the soccer team traveled to Rochester for its far west regional playoff game, the Squall organized a bus trip to take students to the game. It started with one bus and by the time everyone was counted and showed up, it took two full busses to transport the students.
“That was crazy and I was part of one of [the busses] and it was hard to find a seat,” Schiller said. “I had to buckle a seat belt from each side and sit on the seat belt as like a chair.”
Schiller took some time to talk after the first period of the Division 1 Section VI finals between Williamsville North hockey and Niagara Wheatfield. He believed that the support of the student section all season had made a difference and hoped it would continue through that game.
“I hope we win because they really deserve it,” Schiller said. “They really deserve to win, and they’ve been here so many times, so many tries, but I think that this is our year, and with the help of Williamsville North High School, they can do it and our hockey team will succeed.”
The Spartans did come away with the victory as Schiller had hoped, as they defeated rival Niagara Wheatfield to win the Section VI championship. And immediately, the team skated over to celebrate another victory with the Squall.
Schiller and his fellow students knew how to maintain their composure and did through most games, and Schiller knew what to do if his classmates did get out of hand.
“I feel like it’s kind of expected, and everybody knows their position,” Schiller said. “They have to be respectful to the opponents and to parents and staff, but if things ever get out of hand, I’d have everybody sit down and say a word. We’ve had occasions, but we all know how to behave now.”
Schiller and the Squall were once again at the Northtown Center to support the hockey team as North hosted Section V’s Pittsford for the regional playoffs, but this time the game didn’t end in North’s favor.
All that was left to do was wait for spring sports, including Schiller’s sport, lacrosse. Of course, Schiller can’t be on the field and in the stands at the same time. But his fellow students understand that, especially those who played football, soccer, basketball, and hockey and saw Schiller there to support them at every big game.
Hockey captain Nick Tracy stepped up to lead the Squall for the spring season as the focus was on showing Schiller how much he was appreciated during the fall and spring seasons.
Schiller didn’t expect much to change.
“Just a huge turnout, and a lot of spirit and a lot of talking from the students,” he said. “Hopefully a lot of noise, just because it helps. I know because of athletes telling me, it helps a lot when you have a lot of your friends and a lot of your closest buddies supporting you.”
So why did Schiller put so much time and energy into leading the Squall?
“It’s about coming out and supporting our fellow students,” Schiller explained. “And it really means a lot to me personally because I feel like everybody deserves a chance to be noticed in high school, so they should get their chance to shine, and that’s what the Squall is all about.”
And really, that’s what high school sports is all about.