Traverse City Record-Eagle

2008 Crosstown Showdown

October 23, 2008

Rain can't dampen schools' spirits

By BILL O'BRIEN

TRAVERSE CITY -- A steady rain fell across Thirlby Field in the hours building to the annual crosstown battle between Traverse City Central and West high schools.

But instead of dampening the enthusiasm for the yearly show-down, the foul weather seemed to feed it. On one side of the rain-soaked stadium, black-clad Central students bounced and cheered "Black and Gold" and "We can't hear you" across the field to a group of West students, dressed up in a "white-out" to support their school.

What rain?

"We love it," roared Central senior Craig Manning. There was no mistaking his allegiance, as he donned a Trojan helmet and wielded a plastic sword as the rain drops ran the black paint on his face.

"It makes it more fun," Manning said of his accessories. "I hope we win."

Not to be outdone, West junior Luke Hessler and five of his friends patrolled the Titan sideline wearing nothing but basketball shorts and white and green paint that spelled "T-I-T-A-N-S" across their chest -- paint that also slowly washed away in the rain.

"We just want to get some school spirit going," Hessler said. The group gets painted up for every "big game", Hessler said, the key tilts like homecoming and, of course, the Central game.

The game not only represents a big rivalry between the crosstown schools. It also generates a big windfall for the host school, Central this year.

First-year Central athletic director Cody Inglis said an average gate for a home football game totals $10,000 to $12,000. But the West-Central game generates more than twice that, an estimated $25,000 to $30,000 with a capacity crowd. Despite the rain, the stands were nearly full for the game while hundreds of other spectators lined the field.

The big crowd also means more money for concessions, programs and other activities that help various school groups. Business was brisk at the new concessions stands under the stadium, where West senior Christine Olson was "a little stressed out" keeping up with the crowd. But it was a good kind of stress, because her efforts raised money for her school's orchestra program.

It was also a busy night at the Trojan souvenir booth, where the hot sellers included black and gold megaphones, clappers and the popular "Thunderstix".

"Anything that can make noise or the kids can hit each (other) with," volunteer Joyce Vickers said.

But not every fan had a dog in the fight. Gary Horn, a 1952 graduate of Traverse City high when it was still located on Seventh Street in Old Town, said he knows families at both schools so he doesn't cheer for either side. He just wanted to see a good game, and he watched a thriller that came down to the last play.

The only problem was there were too many people to find a good seat in the stands.

"It's impossible to sit," he said.

Sports editor Dennis Chase contributed to this report.

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