Dawg pound creates an energized atmosphere

It was a familiar scene. The anticipation that only a Friday afternoon brings, the bags and brats at the tailgate, the droves of kids filing into the stands in white from head-to-toe, even a brief downpour that only added to the thrill. According to Dawg Pound Leader and senior Lauren Hanson, all of this can be summarized in one word: Atmosphere.

“My favorite part of the Dawg Pound is just the atmosphere – the feeling of a football game and the excitement everyone has,” Hanson said. “Even if we lose, it’s a great atmosphere to be around.”

In addition to Hanson, the new leaders include seniors Brian Dalton, Baylor Griffin, Dan Hill, Lokesh Kataria, Emily Reiser, and Arianna Vranas.

Dawg Pound sponsor Jennifer Witt said the new leaders have been working hard to create new ideas for the Dawg Pound.

“With the new leaders, I think people should be expecting a level of excitement with them,” Witt said. “You can definitely feel it when we’re sitting in the meetings and kids are coming up with ideas.”

According to Witt, the members of the Dawg Pound are looking for ways to balance new ideas and old traditions to create a better experience for fans and players.

“We’re just trying to figure out how to take what we have built over the past couple years and kind of expand upon it and grow as an organization and do some different things, things that might turn into tradition if they turn out the way we are hoping,” Witt said.

One of the issues that the leaders are focusing on this year is how to support all sports teams at North.

“We really want to do things for all the different sporting events and let the kids know that they have the whole school behind them,” Witt said.

Scheduling and balancing the Dawg Pound’s attention between all the different sporting events is proving to be a challenge, according to Witt.

“There are multiple sporting events going on every single day here at Naperville North,” Witt said. “We do want to make sure that every student feels the presence of the Dawg Pound in some way, shape or form.”

One way the Dawg pound makes their presence felt is through social media. Some of the leaders have created and are currently running a rapidly growing Twitter page called @NNHS_DawgPound, according to Witt.

“They’re the ones who are coming up with the ideas,” Witt said. “Definitely take a look at the TVs around the school as well because we’ll be posting the themes.”

On August 21, the Dawg Pound leaders posted a tweet that said, “Everyone we need your help to spread the word about this years Dawg Pound! Our goal is 500 followers before the Neuqua game! #huskiesdoitbig”

Having achieved their goal, Dawg Pound has now reached out to over 600 followers.

“They really wanted to create a bigger presence in social media because that’s where a lot of kids get their information,” Witt said. “They really took it and ran with it.”

Senior varsity football player Joe Gissler appreciates the efforts of the new leaders.

“All of them are really creative and involved people who love Naperville North athletics and put a lot into this school,” Gissler said.