A tradition of College-level school spirit at Oceanside games

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Oceanside High School has long been a place where school spirit thrives, but nothing embodies this energy more than the students’ Section 309, a group that brings a lot of energy to the bleachers at the Oceanside school games.

The school’s student section rivals the enthusiasm found at college sporting events and the group of students has turned Friday night football games into a community-wide celebration. Their presence has become a powerful force behind the Sailors’ athletic success.

The origins of Section 309 date back to 2010 when then-senior Matt Regan founded the section after noticing a surge of student support for Oceanside football. But its roots stretch even further, inspired by a group of Oceanside students from the late 1970s known as 308 “The Water Buffaloes.”

This original group brought a loud, proud presence to every game, donning costumes and creating a raucous, supportive environment. Their inspiration came from Section 308 at the Nassau Coliseum, where New York Islanders fans would gather to cheer on their team. In 2010, Section 309 emerged to bring that same energy back to Oceanside High School football.

“There was a new buzz in the air about Oceanside football,” said Oceanside head football coach Rob Blount. “Students started to flock to games in record numbers. The buzz carried over into 2010 when senior Matt Regan got the okay to start 309. It gave the Sailors a home-field advantage that hasn’t been matched.”

For today’s students, Section 309 is more than just a place to watch a game—it’s a tradition that fosters community and school spirit, extending beyond the high school to involve middle schoolers, parents, and alumni.

“We’re all connected,” said Lucas Mkrtichian, one of the student leaders of Section 309. “It’s cool to have all the students in one giant community, getting loud for our friends on the field. Even the middle schoolers know about it. They get excited for the games, and it’s throughout all the schools.”

At this year’s Homecoming game on Sept. 28, Mkrtichian and his friends in Section 309 proudly wore matching shirts emblazoned with “Homecoming 2024,” a tradition that reinforces the unity among the students.

“You get to enhance your school spirit and show you’re part of the community, which I think is a cool thing,” said Daniella Cairo, another student in the section. “I think that other schools don’t have this, so it’s a special thing that we’re able to have here.”

Athletic Director Tom Lehman, who has seen student sections at various schools, said Oceanside’s 309 stands out because of its size, spirit, and dedication.

“What’s unique about this group is they travel to our away games, too,” Lehman said. “It pumps up the team and builds school spirit in general. It’s not just about football. We have great support for all our sports, and our community really comes together.”

Beyond just creating a high-energy atmosphere, Section 309 teaches leadership and camaraderie among its members. Mkrtichian reflected on how upperclassmen helped guide him when he was a freshman, and now he takes pride in helping younger students find their place in the section.

“I’ll never forget when two seniors called me and my friend down to the front during our freshman year,” Mkrtichian said. “They told us, ‘You guys are great, you’re loud, no one else is like you right now.’ Now, I tell the freshmen that freshman year is the best year because you get to learn from the older kids.”

The sense of mentorship and inclusion is one of the things that makes Section 309 special. “It teaches you leadership,” Mkrtichian said. “You make sure everyone’s okay, everyone’s having a great time, and there are no problems. That’s what it’s all about.”

For many students, the experience of being part of Section 309 is as much about the social aspect as it is about the football games.

“I’m excited for every game,” Cairo said. “It’s a really cool social experience, and I think it’s great for the football program because it brings awareness to what they’re doing.”

The football team, too, feels the impact of having such a devoted student section behind them.

“It’s the same as a freshman as it is now,” said Franco Visone, another student in 309. Visone said. “Everybody’s telling you to come to the game, have a good time, go crazy for the team. They’re awesome, and we’re just cheering them on.”

Lehman added that the enthusiasm of Section 309 extends beyond just high school football.

“Our middle school football games are heavily attended, too. It’s standing-room-only sometimes,” he said. “Even for middle school basketball and volleyball, the students come out and support each other. It’s really something the whole community is involved in.”

As Section 309 continues to evolve, it remains a vital part of the Oceanside sports culture, creating a college-level atmosphere of school pride that not only inspires the players but also draws the entire community together.

“It’s very hype. You can tell in the stands,” Cairo said. “We’re all pretty loud, so it’s a good experience. When we lose, we feel (the loss) the same as the team does. Obviously, we want to win.”

The Oceanside student section 309 will gather again for the High School’s senior night prior to the football teams game against East Meadow this weekend.