"Garfield's Band."

"Outside, it is a calm weeknight at Garfield High School's gymnasium. Inside, a group of boys is whipping the crowd into a frenzy. The makeshift, all-male pep band members blare on horns and pound on drums. The boys wear T-shirts with hand-written slogans — "Volleyball is awesome!" — while the crowd cheers. "

ANY DOGS IN THE HOUSE, TRUE DOGS?
-Garfield Messenger
October 17, 2003

There are fans in the stands of every Volleydog match that have something in common. A group of them are what we like to call die hard fans, or, in the words of the t-shirts they own, the Pep Squad.

Last year this group was profiled by the Seattle Times. They were told by one referee that they were being too loud and disrespecting the players and other fans. One would think that a group of fans would have to be pretty loud to be asked to be quiet at a sporting event.

Take whatever spirit you think these guys have and multiply it by 10.

“It creates the ultimate home court advantage,” said Senior Matt McElroy.

McElroy, Andrew and Lucas Carrico, Eytan Nicholson, Jacob Reynolds, Harry Jamieson and Jay Schulkin may be the core group of True Dogs, but that doesn’t mean they are the only ones. Many of us make our way out to games once or twice a week to watch one the most exciting teams at Garfield. But, when we get there, there is no doubt that those five guys will be sitting in the stands ready to cheer on another V-I-C-T-O-R-Y.

At many games Nicholson will play the drums while McElroy does his best impression of an entire marching band on a trumpet that he painted purple. McElroy also is a cheerleader if there ever was one for volleyball, leading us in cheers such as the call and response of V-O-L-L-E-Y-B, A-L-L.

It is also common to hear the Jay Schulkin-led “True Dogs” cheer, one that is often saved until later in match when the team needs a spark. Even the JV Volleydogs who stick around to keep stats will join in the party, often leading the Y-E-L-L cheer.

McElroy, who first came out after having it recommended by ‘03 graduate Joe Huff, is one of the most enthusiastic and does not fear the occasional making fun of the other team.

“All the others teams are jealous,” he said. “Part of the joy is just annoying the other teams because they don’t have to deal with this anywhere else. They all wish they had fans like us.”

The fans are a major part of the Volleydogs program and don’t think the players and coaches don’t know that. “The fans are a huge part of our success,” said coach Leslie Hamann. “There is nothing like coming into a gym full of more than just parents, where people are making noise and rallying behind you.”

That rallying reached its pinnacle in the first league match of the season when late game Pep Squad emotions spilled onto the court following the five-game defeat of Ballard. The group of True Dogs, who were about one-third the size of the Beaver cheering section, completely took over the gym as they marched in a circle around the court singing “I’m So Glad,” and showing their pride and enthusiasm toward this special group of girls.

Fans are a special part of sports. They fuel much of the emotion on the court and they feel the emotion in the stands. The members of the Pep Squad are considered some of the best at what they do. They are more consistent than many of the athletes.

So, when you make a trip out to a volleyball game this year, find a seat next to the True Dogs. And don’t forget to show off your colors.