The New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts in front of more than 106 million fans in the most-watched television broadcast in history: the 2010 Super Bowl.

While the Chicago Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup victory over the Philadelphia Flyers drew in the most viewers for an NHL game in 36 years, the 8.28 million viewers was dramatically less than the Super Bowl’s fan base.

However, the gap in the distribution of football and hockey fans is not as wide for MHS students.

The night of Friday, Sept. 10, two sets of fans filed into two separate arenas to watch to two different sports.

Varsity hockey, which is not a school-sponsored sport, played Lafayette in a preseason game while varsity football was taking on Eureka High School for the first time.

Due to the large number of fans expected, as  well as many events scheduled on the same night, the football team pre-sold tickets to the game and arranged for shuttle buses to transport students to the game from Kehrs Mill Elementary.

Ryan Thornhill, varsity football coach, said he expected a large turnout to the game because both teams entered the game with a 2-0 record and they had never played each other before.

“When we play a team, we want them to enter into an atmosphere that is not too friendly,” Thornhill said.
However, while he said the fans are important to motivate the players, he didn’t notice whether the crowd met his expectations.

“When I’m coaching, I don’t pay attention to the fans,” Thornhill said.

Jordan McGee, senior, said the fans were amazing, despite the lead EHS had over MHS.  MHS lost 8-24.

“The majority stuck it out even when we were down,” McGee said.

Mitch Cox, junior, attended the football game because both teams were undefeated.

“I wanted to support a team that was actually school-sponsored,” Cox said.

Linebacker Adam Roderique, sophomore, said there were less people at the football game because of the hockey game.

“We thought [the turnout] was going to be bigger,” Activities Director Mark Linneman said.  “I think the hockey game was an influence.”

Linneman said the football schedule was finalized in February, so he had no control over a home football game overlapping with a hockey game.

Despite it being a preseason game,  defender Nick Tobey, sophomore, said he anticipated a large crowd at the hockey game. Marquette won 3-2.

“[The crowd] was bigger than I thought it would be,” Tobey said.

Ryan Kane, varsity hockey coach, said students support the hockey program, even though they aren’t school sponsored.

“From a student’s perspective, we’re still a team that wears the same colors,” Kane said.

However, he anticipated a smaller crowd because of the football game occurring at the same time.

“I was impressed by the turnout,” Kane said.

Dustin Porta, junior, went to the hockey game because of the rivalry between Marquette and Lafayette.

Center Adam Tharenos, senior, said the fans excite the players.

“They get you pumped up and get your adrenaline pumping,” Tharenos said.

Kane agreed.

“It’s exciting for the players to know their classmates are proud of them,” Kane said.