In the past 20 years, the world has worked to navigate through many health crises. From outbreaks of West Nile Virus to Swine Flu to COVID-19, society has learned to take the first signs of an illness seriously. Citizens of Cadet Nation need not be concerned if they are suddenly feeling more excited or anticipatory than usual, however.
After all, those are the symptoms of Cadet Fever.
Fans flocked to the home side of Mac Peoples Stadium on Monday night to attend the annual Meet the Cadets Night. The event, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, was an opportunity for the public to be introduced to the players and members of the various teams and organizations that represent Connally High School in fall competitions.
“Meet the Cadets Night is really our first big event of the year,” CHS principal Hermann Pereira said. “It’s a great way to celebrate all of our students and coaches who have been working so hard while getting the public excited about the season to come.”
This year’s event featured a surprise for both members of the public and student organizations. Right as the ceremony started, the helmet-shaped inflatable run through tunnel that players have used to enter the field for 17 years was pushed aside. In its place, a brand new inflatable emerged. The new entryway, which is significantly taller than its predecessor, features the intimidating gaze of Calvin the Cadet.
“We are so very thankful that our school board was willing to give us the funds to be able to purchase a new inflatable tunnel,” CHS head football coach Terry Gerik said. “The moment that it was unveiled, you could tell that it had made an impact. Our kids’ faces lit up, and I could tell that our community was excited, too.”
As their names were called, each student got their own moment in the spotlight as they ran through the tunnel waving to a packed set of stands.
“I think it’s cool that we get to introduce all of the athletes,” senior volleyball player Katrina Greer said. “If we don’t take the time to do that, no one will really know who’s playing. This is a tradition we’ve built, so it’s important that we keep doing it. ”
In spite of the heat of the evening, the event proved to be just as rewarding for students representing organizations outside of athletics as it was for members of the various fall sports teams. The crowd showed just as much enthusiasm for members of the marching band, dance team, cheerleading squads, and ROTC.
“It was really cool to walk through the tunnel and hear everyone cheering for every kid equally loud,” freshman trumpet player Matthew Sitton said. “I loved being able to perform the original school song for the public again.”
While all of the teams and organizations have been hard at working practicing, scrimmaging, or playing non-district games for weeks now, Friday Night Lights officially begin this week when the Cadet football team heads to Mexia to take on the Blackcats. As fans stood for the playing of the school song, it was obvious that they were ready to get that party started.
“I’m excited for this season because it’s like a group of brothers coming together one last time to get the job done,” senior cornerback Ja’Morris Sayles said. “We’ve been working together and playing together for years, and we’re ready to take it all the way. We’ve got some big things coming up.”