Whether you’re in the bleachers watching Feehan football at McGrath Stadium or in the pit watching girls’ basketball in the McIntyre Gymnasium, you can count on seeing a Feehan Fanatic there. Founded in 2021, the Feehan Fanatics are a group that makes sure every Game of the Week has a crowd ready to cheer on their fellow Shamrocks. The Fanatics are moderated by Mrs. Smith, but they also have senior leaders, including Ava Hanley, Brody Bumila, Andrew Orphanos, and Lanie Cawley.
The biggest thing that the Fanatics constantly contribute during games is the overall atmosphere of the student section. The students are always in theme for the game and always make sure others are in theme, handing out different accessories for the game. An example of this spirit was at the season opener for football against Xaverian Brothers High School. The theme was beach, and Fanatics members passed out leis and other beach-themed items. They also lead chants during the games. The “I believe that we will win!” before a game starts? That’s the Fanatics. The “You can’t do that!” after an opposing player commits a foul? That’s the Fanatics. Another amazing way that the Fanatics get people involved at games is the halftime games they run. Some examples of the halftime games would be relay races or golf challenges, making every game something to remember.
The Feehan Fanatics also always make sure the Feehan student sections are packed at games by promoting every game day on social media. This club has an Instagram with around 2,500 followers that posts game schedules, what theme to be in, and just other fun videos that encourage students to come to games and get involved.
With the Fanatics’ work of bringing a crowd to big games and the Feehan student body showing up to them, this has resulted in Feehan being currently ranked 4th in Mass for the Fall Student Section Rankings as of the writing of this article. However, last year, with Girls’ Basketball’s great state finals run, and tremendous turnout at playoff games, Feehan was ranked 1st in Mass and made it to the Elite 8 for the national Voting Bracket for student sections.
